Leicester International Hotel Development

The Leicester International Hotel had long become a blight on the skyline of Leicester, it had even been seen as a beacon of trouble in recent times. The Leicester International Hotel was built back in the mid nineteenth century with early use unknown to us, but after this became an administrative centre for shoe company Freeman Hardy and Willis post World War II.

By the 1970's the building changed into the Leicester International Hotel, a place where many stayed during trips to Leicester, unfortunately the hotel did not last and the building fell into an appalling state.

Since 2009 the building has stood empty but in February 2011 a landmark development for the building was agreed and the building was sold off. The new development is for a mixture of student flats, family apartments, retail stores and restaurants, there has even been talk of a potential gym and bowling alley.

The eleven story building boasts 220,000 square feet of space. This space is said to have been broken down as retail stores, restaurants and bars on the ground and first floors with living space on the upper floors, detailed plans have been submitted to the council for this project already.

A hive of activity was seen around the building in February 2011 as people moved in to remove all the rubbish left from previous occupants of the building to ensure the building is in a position to start construction once Leicester Council has approved the plans and the developers are ready to start. The plans were formally received by the Leicester City Council on 11th April 2011 - Click here to view planning information

It is said that the development of retail stores and restaurants will provide around 120 extra jobs in the city.

The total spend on this development is going to be £14 Million and is said to be completed by Summer 2012.

Hopefully this development will change the Leicester International Hotel from an ugly building in disrepair to an attractive and vibrant building bringing more visitors to the cultural quarter and improving the overall ambience of the area.