Luxury flat plans leave demolition looming over St. Brelade hotel

Wednesday 31 October 2018

A St. Brelade hotel built at the height of the island's tourism boom is in the process of being sold to make way for 11 high-end flats.

The building housing Windmills Hotel was built in the 1960s, and has been home to the family-run business for the past 26 years.

Windmills will remain open to guests until September 2019, but could have a different fate beyond that, as its building is in the process of being sold. In advance of that, proposals have been submitted to the Planning Department, which, if approved, would see luxury flats erected in its place.

The architects behind the plans, Castletree Group, explained that it was no longer "economically feasible" for the hotel to stay open as it cannot afford the works needed to keep the building up to current standards. It added that the business does not make the same returns it used to.

Pictured: Windmills Hotel is a family-run business that was founded 26 years ago.

The four-storey building was said to have undergone several modifications over the years to suit the hotel needs, and was now in need of "significant restoration." Castletree Group explained that the decision to demolish the hotel, rather than convert it into flats, was motivated by the fact the rooms are small and would not be easily converted into residences. "The existing building has no architectural or heritage merit," they added.

According to the architects, their plans aim to make the best possible use of the L-shaped 3,763sqm gap that would be left by Windmills without having a "detrimental impact" on the landscape. They said the proposed building will sit below current roof and tree lines when viewed from the bay, and will therefore not ruin the view of local skylines.

The three-floor building will have wrap around stone-clad balconies on the south side with a glass facade set behind, as well as roof gardens at different levels. Meanwhile, rose-coloured granite with a "flamed finish" has been chosen for the facade.

Pictured: A 3D rendition of what the proposed development would look like. (Castletree Group)

The apartments themselves were described as having "the highest design quality", each with access to an underground private double garage and an additional space outside. There will also be six visitor spaces outside of the building. Developers said that this would mean there is less traffic as a maximum of 39 occupants would be living in the building, while the hotel can host up to 96 people.

Represented by Moz Scott and Senator Sarah Ferguson, the proposal was considered by the St. Brelade’s Bay Association (SBBA). While the SBBA generally liked the proposal, there was still a concern over the scale and mass of the building. Ms Scott also raised concerns about the glazing, requesting for it not to reflect colours so as to make the building stand out on the landscape. They argued that the application should go before the Planning Committee, rather than being decided by one Planning officer.

If approved, the destruction of the hotel is expected to take three months, followed by a two-year construction period for the apartments.

(Lead photo: Google Maps and Castletree Group)