The upper floors of a Nottingham coffee shop off Old Market Square could become accommodation for students, plans have shown.
Changes are in mind for above Caffè Nero, in King Street, concerning the first, second and third floors.
No 'significant alteration' is proposed to the external appearance of the building and the ground floor coffee shop and basement will remain unaffected.
Oliver Timms, of CS2, chartered surveyors working on behalf of client Harkalm Estates Limited, said: "We have been appointed on behalf of the freeholder to look at alternative uses for the upper floors which are surplus to Caffè Nero's requirements."
A total of 10 bedrooms for single occupancy are proposed across the three floors, along with communal facilities.
"They are three small cluster apartments, they are bespoke, quite trendy and modern," Mr Timms said.
"We would like to have them ready for the start of the next academic year, that would be towards September."
The company has been involved in similar projects in the city and Mr Timms made a point that "you do not have to butcher a building just to re-purpose it".
The upper floors have been vacant for some time having previously been used as offices.
A planning statement, included in the application, read: "A student residential scheme would be an appropriate reuse of the existing building given access to a full range of city centre services and facilities and access on foot, bicycle and using public transport.
"It is an opportunity to bring back into beneficial use floor space that is currently vacant and with future occupiers contributing to the local economy."
Conservationists were keen that the exterior of the property was maintained.
Hilary Silvester, executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, said: "I hope obviously they are going to keep the outside appearance and maintain that and not do anything silly, like putting in plastic window frames.
"I do think we have got enough student [accommodation] in the city centre, I am just wondering how much student accommodation is going to be needed?
"A more high-end use would probably be appropriate, if they can find takers for offices."
It comes after offices opened within a building on the same street offering beer on tap and an in-house barista.
