Plans have been unveiled for a co-living scheme with 320 studio apartments, just south of Nottingham Railway Station and tram stop. Wavensmere Homes has published its plans for the redevelopment of the Waterway House site to seek feedback from local people, prior to submission of a full planning application.
Accessed off Crocus Street in the city’s Canalside Quarter, the facilities proposed for the new residential building include a gym, padel court, communal dining area, games room, lounges, co-working space and meeting rooms.
Designed by Corstorphine & Wright, Wavensmere has selected national co-living specialist VervLife as the operator for the scheme. Redford Developments Limited selected Wavensmere to bring the site forward earlier this year.
Nottingham City Council previously awarded planning consent for an eight-storey apartment scheme with car parking at ground level. The new plans being put forward by Wavensmere include five habitable storeys, together with a roof level for a padel court and open air social space. The entire ground floor of the brick-built building is proposed for additional amenity provision.
Ben Clarke, technical director for Wavensmere Homes, said: “We are excited to unveil our plans for this outstanding addition to Nottingham city centre’s residential offering. High-quality, amenity-rich co-living developments offer a unique opportunity to foster a new community, whilst providing a bridge for a wide range of people until they are in a position to get onto the property ladder.
“The scheme has been designed in partnership with VervLife who have extensive operational experience in both co-living and BTR markets across the UK. While each studio apartment at Waterway House will be self-contained with an en-suite bathroom and kitchenette, the masterchef-style communal kitchen, dining area, games room and lounges, co-working space, meeting rooms and fitness facilities will bring people together.
“We are consulting with stakeholders and welcome comments and feedback from local people to ensure this brownfield site is redeveloped in the most sustainable way.”
The existing site comprises Waterway House – a vacant 1970s two-storey office building with around 750 sq m of floorspace – and cleared hardstanding areas. Previously owned by Nottingham City Council, the site has lain largely vacant and unoccupied since 2021.
