Old Town House pub touted to become apartments

Sunday 07 February 2021

Plans have been put forward to turn the former Town House pub and restaurant into accommodation.

They propose demolishing the interior of the building to create a block of 26 apartments with parking facilities.

The units will be split into 12 one-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedroom apartments, and six studio apartments.

Pictured: The exterior facade of the Town House will stay if any plans go ahead.

However, the front side of the building will remain in place, with a Heritage Impact Assessment noting that the “façade of the existing building makes a clear contribution to the character of the local street-scene by virtue of defining the edge of the street, presenting a varied roofscape and strong ‘eaves’ line which in turn sets the overall framework of the urban form when viewed from street level.”

It also cites the building's links to a locally celebrated architect, AB Grayson, whose works included the States Chamber extension, Les Lumières and renewing the interior of St Matthew’s Church.

Though it acknowledges that Grayson had redesigned the building in the 30s, it states that, while “Grayson is, justifiably, a much-revered figure in C20th Jersey life and local architectural history... that does not mean that his work is immune from assessment on purely architectural merits."

Pictured: The old Pinocchio's restaurant is also being eyed up for housing.

It continues: “Looking at the building dispassionately, perhaps the only fully credible fulfilment of the listing criteria is the Grayson connection. Had this been the work of an unknown or less-celebrated architect, listing the building may have been much harder to justify.”

The Town House is not the only former hospitality venue being transformed into flats either – Mace Holdings Limited have put forward plans to turn the old Pinocchio’s site by First Tower into flats.

The early plans, designed by architectural company, MAC, outline creating a second floor on top of the existing one, with two one-bedroom apartments, five two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment with associated parking.

Both projects are currently before the Planning Department, and a decision will be made at a later date.