PLANS to redevelop one of the city centre’s oldest buildings into new apartments - which developers say will contribute to “the changing face of Newport” - have been approved.
The project will create a block of 22 one- and two-bedroom flats in existing and new buildings at the junction of Commercial Street and Hill Street, while also retaining three existing retail units on the ground floor.
The back of the building - currently empty - will be partially demolished to make way for the new five-storey block.
But the red-bricked part on the corner of Hill Street and Commercial Street, formerly occupied by clothing store Morris Cowan, will be retained.
A mixture of studio, and one- and two-bedroomed flats will be spread over five floors, with a rooftop garden space on the top floor.
Spaces for cycle provision and a waste store are included, but no parking is proposed.
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Cardiff-based developer PropertyIndex hopes to start work on the redevelopment early next year after being granted planning permission by Newport City Council.
Company directors Chris Spiteri and Emma Ballson said the scheme will contribute to the “changing face of Newport”, pointing to the recently completed apartments at the site of the former Hornblower pub nearby.
“There are a number of developments in the pipeline for Commercial Street and we are proud to bring our PropertyIndex product to Newport,” they added.
They hope to complete the project next year.
The apartment block will be one storey higher than St David’s House opposite, which currently houses Kaspa’s Desserts.
The ground floor will be retained as shop units.
A heritage statement says the building is thought to date back to the second half of the 19th century and it is “amongst the earliest buildings in the area”.
A planning application says the scheme will provide affordable city-centre housing and “high quality” apartments.
“This is a great location with countless commercial opportunities, thus improving the vibrancy of the existing busy shopping centre,” a planning statement adds.
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