Leicester’s new £17 million aparthotel – created inside the city’s landmark former Fenwick department store – has finally opened to paying guests.
Developer Aimrok Holdings has taken two years to create the Gresham Aparthotel in a Grade II-listed building on the corner of Market Street and Belvoir Street.
It now has 121 short-stay, serviced apartments, each with with kitchen and en-suite facilities, as well as a fitness suite and laundry room.
There is also a restaurant and bar called ‘Black Iron Social' – open to guests and the general public – which is run by the same team behind Leicester’s Winstanley House Hotel and the City Rooms.
There are also four shop units and ‘Gresham Works’ – 12,000 square feet of conference facilities and co-working spaces, that have been leased to Leicester City Council on a 25-year agreement.
Mark Copson, a director of Aimrok Holdings and The Gresham, said: “After such a challenging couple of years thwarted by the pandemic, we are very excited to be welcoming our first guests.
“The Gresham a stunning building and has been restored with a great deal of care and attention to detail both inside and out and we feel confident that our visitors will be delighted with their stay experiences.
“With its prime position in the heart of the city centre, The Gresham already seems to be having a positive impact on the area and we intend for it to become, and remain an active part of the local community for many years to come.”
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Having had the chance to look around The Gresham, I can confirm this is very exciting news.
“The very stylish aparthotel will be another major draw for visitors to our city, and people wishing to work here will find the new workspace there very appealing, and just right for the post-Covid economy.
“The restoration of this flagship building perfectly complements the other regeneration work taking place in this part of the city, and will provide a massive boost for the Market Street area and for Leicester.”
The Gresham has been part-funded by an £8.2 million loan from Maslow Capital and a £4 million Growing Places Fund (GPF) loan through the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).
Kevin Harris, Chair of the LLEP board, said: “The [LLEP] loan helped to kick-start this important project, that will have a significant impact on employment and provide much needed managed workspace for businesses.
"I am delighted to see the completion of The Gresham redevelopment and also that this iconic building has such a promising future.”
