Angel Hotel, Northampton

• Market Sector: Historic Buildings
• Services: Sustainability

MLM were appointed to carry out a review of the sustainability issues of the redevelopment of the Angel Hotel, Northampton. The report included a review of development policies in the region applicable to this project.

As part of the report, we identified key sustainability opportunities for the re-development of the Angel Hotel in Northampton’s historic town centre, The report does not attempt to set out objectives and targets for the project, but considerations that are sympathetic to the architectural character of the building itself, and the designated conservation area in which it sits. The main aspirations for the project are regeneration and restoration.

The Angel Hotel is a Grade II listed building located in the All Saints Conservation Area on Bridge Street in Northampton town centre. Bridge Street is one of the main transport routes through the town. Many of the properties on Bridge Street date from the late 18th to mid 19th century; the Angel Hotel was originally a coaching inn.

The Angel Hotel is currently split into a number of separate uses on the ground floor and the upper floors are vacant. The ground floor consists of the ‘Balloon Bar, Fat Cat Café and Bar, with a cellar, courtyard, a garage and small units towards the rear of the property.

The proposed use of the building entails leaving the Fat Cat Café and Bar and Balloon bar insitu on the ground floor, and refurbishing the rear units, cellar and garage for restaurant use. On the first floor, additional restaurant units towards the rear of the property and office space above the Balloon Bar are proposed. Further restaurant areas and staff/office accommodation are proposed for the second floor.

As the building is a Grade II listed building, alteration to or replacement of the external façade, roof, windows and doors are not options. The regeneration of the building must take shape within the property itself.

Sustainable and non invasive measures and opportunities were detailed in the report regarding improvement to the building fabric, construction methods, materials and waste, and installations.