The project sought to conserve an important listed building, reinstating the hotel’s authentic shopfronts, improve Granby Street, encourage investment and demonstrate how historic buildings can accommodate modern commercial requirements.
The restored traditional shopfronts have brought vacant premises back into use, halving Granby Street vacancies to just four. The project has restored confidence in Granby Street as a vibrant city-centre destination.
The project also delivered lasting educational benefits through the High Street Heritage Action Zone. It supported conservation accreditation, apprenticeships, professional training, school visits and guided tours.
The Grand Hotel demonstrates how targeted investment in a single heritage asset can catalyse wider regeneration. The project restored the building's architectural character while encouraging further investment in Granby Street.
The reinstatement of the historic shopfronts, principal entrance and entrance canopy helped secure the long-term future of the Grade II listed building and the hotel’s return to active use.
Evidence-led design, traditional craftsmanship and innovative engineering delivered an authentic scheme that balanced conservation with modern requirements.
| Client | The Grand Hotel Leicester |
|---|---|
| Funding partners | Historic England and Leicester City Council |
| Architect and principal designer | Hickman & Smith Architects |
| Heritage consultant | TDR Heritage |
| Quantity Surveyor | Gateley RJA |
| Structural engineer | Diamond Wood & Shaw |
| Planning and building control | Leicester City Council |
| Main contractor | Trinity Renovations |
| Specialist joinery | Phillips Joinery |
| Phase 2 joinery | Norray Joinery |
| Specialist stone masonry | Powell Masonry |
| Mosaic and marble restoration | Mosaic Restoration |
| Asbestos survey | Lucion |
| Ironmongery schedule | Access Architectural |
| Metalwork | Calibre Metalworks |
| Portland stone supplier | Albion Stone |
| Timber supplier | Blunt's Joinery Supplies |
| Security glazing manufacturer | Pilkington |
| Lime plaster manufacturer | Lime Green Products |
| Lime mortar manufacturer | Saint-Astier |
| Lighting | Edit Lighting |
| Interior designer | Bell & Swift |
This project regenerated a difficult 17-acre site in the heart of the wider Waterside development area and became the catalyst for around £400million of private investment.
Canopy has breathed new life into an unused dilapidated cluster of buildings, sensitively restoring the heritage features whilst bringing state-of-the-art workspaces and a business community hub to the area.
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47 Westview Avenue, Glen Parva, Leicester. LE2 9JU. Company number: 5420643
