A project to create student flats on the upper floors of an iconic building in the city has moved a step forward after developers submitted plans to Nottingham City Council.
The Grade II-listed Elite Building, in Upper Parliament Street, was built nearly a century ago and first opened as a 1,600-seater cinema.
During the building's fine history, the cinema was converted into a bingo hall which lasted until the early 1990s.
Developers want to convert the upper floors of the building from vacant office space into student accommodation.
They have put forward an application to the council to create a number of studio flats and HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) to provide 18 bedrooms across the first, second and third floors.
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Part of the building is occupied by INK nightclub, as well as other businesses, which would not be affected by the plans.
Scott Knowles, chief executive at the East Midlands Chamber, said the Nottingham student economy was worth millions of pounds to Nottingham and there was demand for more student accommodation.
“The developers must believe there is a demand for more student accommodation or they wouldn’t invest in it," said Mr Knowles.
"The student economy is worth about £63m a year to Nottingham – that’s a significant contribution.
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"Providing good accommodation in locations that encourage students to make use of city centre shops and nightlife will give a boost to those businesses, creating opportunities for growth and new jobs.
"It also gives a new lease of life to older buildings, which retains the character of the city.”
The plans also involve "minor alterations" to the building entrance in Upper Parliament Street.
Jeff Allen, chairman of Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID), added: “It is great to see the exterior of this iconic listed building restored and refurbished – it already looks fantastic.
"And it is good to see that if planning is secured there will be no changes to the external appearance of the building.
"In the context of student accommodation, the proposed 18 beds is a relatively modest development and will ensure that the upper floors are brought back into use.”
Nottinghamshire Live revealed last year the building had been sold for around £4m to investors.
At the time, conservationists described the building as a "dazzling fairy palace".
Hilary Silvester, chairwoman of the Nottingham Civic Society, said at the time: “It is a prominent building in the city centre.
"When you live in the city you do not take much notice of it but people not from here say it catches their eye.
“It is on a historic site and it is an unusual building. Hopefully they will keep whatever is interesting and make use of it rather than being a big empty space in the city centre while respecting anything that is of interest inside.”
The application has been submitted to the council by Steinberger Developments Ltd.
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