A PLAN to re-develop one of Bradford city centre's most eye catching buildings has been revealed.

An application to turn the Old Building on Great Horton Road, until recently part of Bradford College, into a development of 190 apartments, has been submitted to Bradford Council this week.

The plans for the Grade II listed building also include the restoration of a Victorian lecture theatre, a media centre, gym, cafe and new shared courtyard for residents.

It would be re-named either Grand Palace or Majestic Palace, according to the new application, and the developers say that when work is done the building will have a gross development value of £21.5 million.

They say the work will create a "truly iconic living complex."

The 138 year old building was until recently the main building of Bradford College.

But with the recent opening of the College's modern David Hockney Building, the building was gradually vacated as departments moved into the new facilities.

Earlier this year it was revealed that the building would be re-developed as a residential scheme by Citywide Investors.

This week the group submitted its planning application for the conversion of the building "to form up to 190 residential apartments including 24/7 concierge, media centre, cafe, games room, gymnasium and multi-purpose hall with landscaped communal courtyard."

However, there will be no parking for the development, with the application describing it as "car free."

It adds: "Old Building is at the fringe of city centre and its footprint covered the whole site and there is no surplus land left for any parking. There is a transportation assessment carried out and confirmed that this is a car free development."

The application adds: "The Old Building is considered to be one of the most historic and iconic buildings in Bradford city, therefore the ethos of the change of use is to maintain its presence and to recreate a new flagship refurbishment building works that the Old Building deserves with a unique residential apartment development for both the private sectors and the student market.

"The concept is to raise the profile and standard of design to form luxury residential apartments that can be leased to both the public sectors and students that is eco friendly, efficient and sustainable and Citywide Investors are to be market leaders and not followers."

The original plans for the site included 236 flats - with a many being studio flats.

But the application says the number of units was reduced to 190 to make the flats "more spacious."

The accommodation will include one, two and three bed flats.

The building's iconic tower will be turned into a short term let "for high profile executives so that residents can appreciate the panoramic views of Bradford city."

Referring tot he building's lecture theatre, the application says: "The existing lecture theatre has ornate ceiling features and would be retained to preserve the heritage values and no building works are proposed and would be used as a multi-purpose hall which can be leased out to others for cinema, cultural plays, conferencing facility chambers and so on."

The company told the Telegraph & Argus: "The building is to be restored to its original admirable glory in line with its Grade II listed status but with all mod cons for a positive experience to all those living and working in the accommodation.

"We will fully restore the theatre into an Arts and Culture Convention Centre. We will be introducing a vibrant and spacious Eco Business Hub which will encourage residents to explore and utilise their entrepreneurial spirits to improve and increase the Bradford Economy in partnership with Bradford College and the University.

"Our vision and aspiration is to deliver accommodation that rivals major cities and transforms and raises the bar on the higher end of luxury living within Bradford. The Old Building has the potential to be part of a catalyst that will be a turning point for the future of Bradford.

"Our emphasis is on creating a robust and sustainable lifestyle - a real modus vivendi - for those residing in this development with an emphasis on future proofing and creating a more Inter-Generational and inter racial multi faceted Hi-Tech accommodation."

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Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society, said: "It's quite an interesting application, as the building has more than a few remarkable features – both inside and out.

"At first glance, it's encouraging that the applicant has listened to some of the comments at consultation stage, and has moved away from creating cramped studio flats. There also seems to be a lot of emphasis on the building's heritage, which is positive.

"It's a very hefty planning application with a lot of detail, so the Civic Society will look forward to scrutinising it closely and making representations, if appropriate."

A decision on the planning application is expected next month.