| August
2002
City landmark
could become
a casino
The former Conservative Club on Silver Street
A major city landmark, the former Conservative
Association Club on Silver Street, has been
sold and its new owners who are restoring
it are considering a number of options to
bring the Grade Two listed building to life
again including transforming it into a casino.
The property at the junction of Silver Street
and Broadgate, built in 1895 and designed
by William Watkins, an eminent architect of
the day who also designed the Lincoln School
of Art on Lindum Hill, has stood empty for
the past six years.
“We are very keen to restore the building
which was at risk of suffering serious deterioration
and see it back in use again, probably as
a night club and restaurant. It would also
make a perfect casino,” said Gary Simpson
of Lincoln based Dolphin Properties.
Restoration work to the roof, including the
dome and other parts of the building’s
fabric have already been carried out and there
are further plans to clean and restore the
building’s distinctive red brickwork.
Inside a period circular staircase ascending
to the dome, which is decorated externally
with dolphin figurines is being retained as
a centrepiece of any future internal decor.
“The high profile corner position of
this unique property provides a high degree
of visual prominence and it would be ideal
for bar, restaurant and nightclub activities
or even a casino. It could also be suitable
for adaptation to other typical city centre
uses,” said Stephen Bradford, partner
at Hodgson Elkington, chartered surveyors,
who are agents for the development.
Dolphin Properties, which has taken its name
from the dolphins, a favourite motif in Watkin
designed buildings, is working in close association
with Lincoln City Council on the building’s
restoration and will be applying to the City
Council for grant aid to assist the restoration
project, said Mr Simpson, who together with
his brother Graham have been involved in other
environmentally sensitive projects including
the development of former Co-operative shop
on Winn Street, Lincoln.
The building’s close proximity to other
nearby leisure and retail developments including
the Drill Hall on Broadgate, new county museums
on Flaxengate and college campus, are also
seen as benefits to interested leisure operators.
Restoration work is expected to continue
into next Spring. Various configurations of
layout are being offered on a shell basis
on the ground floor and flexible space is
available at first floor level, together with
a substantial basement area.
“There is the capacity, subject to
planning consent, to create a total floor
area of approximately 15,500 sq ft and the
property can be adapted to suit specific operational
requirements,” said Mr Bradford.
For more information please contact:
Stephen
Bradford
Hodgson Elkington
Tel: 01522 512232
Paul Croft Ltd.
Croft Communications
Tel: 01427 788319
Issued on behalf of Hodgson Elkington County
Register by Croft Communications Ltd
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