Vacant Preston office block to be converted into apartments

By Tim Aldred

16 Jan 2024

Guild Tower Visuals

A planning application has been submitted to convert a vacant 15-storey office block in Preston city centre into 115 city living apartments.

The offices on floors two to 15 of The Guild Tower have been vacant for over a decade. The ground floor is currently occupied by the Level entertainment complex which features a bowling alley, arcade, sports bar and restaurant.

While Level will continue operating from the building, the proposals would see the rest converted to residential use with the creation of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

The plans, submitted by PWA Planning on behalf applicant Yates Capital, would see significant improvements made to the building which is located off Church Row and is adjacent to the Guild Hall complex.

These include the introduction of a gymnasium and creation of an outside exercise and relaxation space for residents on the currently unused flat roof of the building’s first and second storey.

This space would feature a running track, exercise equipment, green landscaping and benches. There would also be a co-working space and meeting rooms.

The 70,000 sq ft concrete building would be reclad in a dark and light grey coating to make it more visually appealing while a living green wall would be introduced on the exterior of the first and second floor on two sides of the building.

Fifty solar panels and a biosolar green sedum roof would be added to main roof to improve the environmental performance of the building which was erected in the 1970s.

Dan Yates, director of Yates Capital, added: “Preston’s city living strategy is really starting to come together with lots of people who want to live and work in the city and take advantage of the vibrant and growing leisure, culture, food and hospitality offering.

“We have done a great amount of work to get this stage, working closely with the regeneration team at the council to design a scheme that is fully aligned with their vision for the city centre.”

Dan, who is also the Lancashire-based property entrepreneur behind the successful Hy Hotels brand, added: “This will be a fully private rented scheme which we intend to market under our recently launched Hy Living brand. The concept of Hy Living is to provide city living that blends the comfort of home with the luxury of a hotel with features like a 24/7 concierge service, gym and spa facilities.

“The development will be tech-led with features like a resident app, mobile phone door keys and pocket concierge, as well as being pet friendly. It’s one of a number of Hy Living locations we will be bringing forward in the region and we can’t wait to get started.”

Dan Hughes, planning director at PWA Planning, said: “These exciting proposals show how this long vacant building can be brought back into use in a sustainable way and we’re proud to have supported our client in bringing forward this application."

Seb Salisbury at RPS Design Group is the architect for the scheme. Quantity surveying and project management services are being provided by Nick Dean at 44 Consult. Edisons has advised on transport planning, while Neil Martin at Martin Environmental Solutions has advised on noise, and Alt Fire provided the fire statement. Easthams & Co has been appointed as agent for the scheme.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin