By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: Plans for a new hospitality hub in Birmingham submitted to City Council.
Press Up Hospitality Group and sister company Oakmount has submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council after acquiring the Grade II* Listed Central Methodist Hall to create a substantial new hospitality hub.
The Central Methodist Hall was completed in 1904 and is an iconic landmark in Birmingham city centre. The site has had many guises over the years, originally run by The Methodist Church up until 1991 and more recently as a major live music destination as Que Club which attracted major musicians such as David Bowie, Daft Punk and Blur.
The building has been vacant since 2017 and has unfortunately fallen into disrepair, now featuring as part of Heritage England’s At Rick Register.
Property Developer Oakmount, alongside TODD Architects have submitted plans to transform this building into a destination hospitality and leisure scheme.
Plans for the large and centrally located hospitality scheme, which will be operated by Press Up Hospitality Group, include The Dean Birmingham, a 150-bedroom hotel with rooftop restaurant, gym and events space, as well as the restoration of the Central Hall into a 1,500 seat event space, and a number of retail and hospitality units on the Ground Floor.
Oakmount and Press Up Hospitality Group both form part of the parent company McKillen Corporation. McKillen Corporation is directed by Patrick McKillen Junior, and encompasses a number of high end leisure and hospitality businesses across Ireland, the UK and internationally, as well as companies that specialise in property development and fit out.
The Dean, a hotel brand operated by Press Up Hospitality Group with locations in Dublin, Cork and Galway, is one of Ireland’s leading boutique, design led hotels. Having opened in Dublin in November 2014 as part of a terrace of protected Georgian townhouses, The Dean introduced a new concept in accommodation to Ireland which is fresh, vibrant, youthful, and creative. Since then, it has long been one of the country’s top places to stay. E
ach Dean location has a number of unique features including Sophie’s Rooftop Restaurant and Terrace, luxury POWER Gym, and an art collection which is curated to celebrate local artists.
The Dean Birmingham will be the first location for The Dean outside of the Republic of Ireland.
A spokesperson for the Press Up Hospitality Group comments: “The Central Methodist Hall is a truly unique landmark in the heart of Birmingham which deserves a new lease of life. Through careful and sympathetic restoration, we hope to celebrate the history of this building and create a destination encompassing a number of hospitality offerings for both locals and tourists alike. The large Central Hall will be transformed into a 1500 seat venue, providing much needed, centrally located space for cultural, art and music events.”
Detailed plans under this application can be viewed on the Birmingham City Council website.
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