A block of 34 flats is set to be built in Ayr’s historic Carrick Street in the town centre.
The six storey affordable one and two-bedroom homes just off the High Street would be aimed at the elderly.
Developers have applied for permission to erect the social housing in a car park across the road from the Gaiety theatre.
The building would boast a courtyard, shared balconies and a roof top garden.
Kyle Centre owners Alloway (Scotland) LLP and Ayrshire Housing are behind the bid.
A design statement lodged with South Ayrshire Council said: “This is the ideal town centre site for housing for the elderly.”
The flats may be used to house people from the high flats at the Riverside, which are in line for demolition.
Residents would be offered 24 parking spaces in the multi-storey car park beside the proposed site.
And there would be a choice of 11 two-bedroom flats and 23 one-bedroom flats. The design statement added: “The Carrick Street site offers the opportunity to deliver new, low energy, town centre housing. These will principally be aimed at elderly residents who will benefit from the proximity to all the town centre amenities. Central Ayr is identified as a priority area for new affordable housing in the council’s local housing strategy.”
Developers believe the building would repair and bring together “disparate features” on Carrick Street.
The design brief said: “The overriding context is of large rectangular buildings clashing with traditional street lines.”
It added: “ We consider the layout being developed is a significant benefit to a town centre site which is in need of significant improvement.”
No decision has been made on the planning application yet.
Developers want to entice a cinema operator to revive the Kyle Centre. The council also want to build a swimming pool in the vicinity. The aim is to transform the retail hub into a leisure and entertainment centre.
