Conservationists have raised concerns about plans to convert the upper floors of an iconic city building above a cocktail bar into student accommodation - saying they want the original features of the fine architecture to be respected.
Developers want to convert vacant office space above The Alchemist, on the corner of King Street and Queen Street, which occupies the ground floor and part of the basement of the tall building.
The move would create 23 student bedrooms across the upper floors within the Grade II-listed building which was designed by the Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse and built in the 1890s.
It was previously used as insurance company offices and was known as The Prudential Assurance Building.
In recent years, it has housed the Hard Rock Cafe and later a Brazilian restaurant called Tropeiro which closed after five years in 2016.
Hilary Silvester, chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, said the group would hold talks with conservation officers about the plans on Tuesday, May 21.
"It's on a list of planning apps we are going to, as a society, respond to," she said.
"It does seem that every other building in Nottingham becomes student (accommodation).
"I have seen the old Elite Building, in Upper Parliament Street, behind The Pru building - that has also got an application (to convert vacant office space into student flats)."
Although she said was was unaware of what remained at the top of the building, she said she hoped any original features would be retained.
"It concerns me a bit when they (developers) seem to be chopping buildings about," she said.
"If there are any original features on those floors... we do not want to lose original features and see them knocked about too much.
"We want to see the building respected. That's our mantra for lots of things."
She said prospective student residents with cars would struggle to park.
However, business leaders said new student tenants would be able to make use of the city's restaurant and bar scene.
Scott Knowles, chief executive at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The student economy is worth about £63m a year to Nottingham so it’s worth making sure there is a good supply of accommodation available, from bedrooms to self-contained flats.
"It’s also good for the city centre’s businesses if the accommodation is located so that it encourages students to take advantage of local pubs, clubs, cafes, restaurants and shops – thereby boosting both the daytime and night-time economies.”
Plans to create the student accommodation have been submitted by Mr Harjeet Johal, of Johal, Munshi & Co Ltd.
The planning agent, working on behalf of the applicant, was listed as Rayner Davies Architects.
Planning documents state: "The proposed scheme has been developed following a considered and carefully designed process that has sought to retain and celebrate as much as possible of the existing heritage design and character of this Grade II-listed building, whilst upgrading and converting it in order to make it meet contemporary living standards."
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