FORMER PALACE NOW A TOP HOTEL
The wonderfully-restored four star Wellness Hotel Rezidence in Nove Hrady in Southern Bohemia (Czech Republic) was once the town palace of the important Buquoy family. It is situated in the beautiful countryside of the Novohradské Mountains and located on the east side of the Namesti Republiky in Nove Hrady, the city centre being a declared urban conservation area. The hotel buildings form a block of houses enclosing the whole east side of the square. The Residence was the mansion of the aristocratic Buquoy family (1634-1810), until the castle in Nove Hrady was finished. Until the 1920s the Residence was used as the seat of the Forest Administration. Since the end of the 20th century the Residence has been owned by the town of Nove Hrady, and it was the designated visitor hotel for the 2014 Newcastles of the World conference.
The residence where the hotel and spa complex now belongs on the list of the national historical sites. In the research of the layers of plaster in the interiors of the southwest wing of the Residence, in the former representative halls, a discovery was made of decorated ceilings, walling of the windows and decorative ornamentation of the walls with numerous Baroque flower motifs. These halls have been fully integrated into the social and cultural utilization of the Residence. The extensity of the usable space of the historical building and the number of valuable spaces and rooms of the whole complex make it a unique location in the centre of the Nove Hrady Conservation Area ideal for tourism and spa services.
http://www.rezidencenh.cz/en/hotel/wellness-hotel/buquoy-residence.html
more information – via Mayor Vladimir Hokr – vladimirhokr@novehrady.cz
PLANS FOR CONVESION OF HISTORIC COACH HOUSE IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE INTO HOUSING SCHEME
ENVIRONMENTAL RETROFITTING THE HISTORIC BUILDING OF THE FACULTY OF LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEUCHATEL
OLD THEATRE BECOMES A RESTAURANT IN NEUBURG AN DER DONAU
October 2013 saw the much-awaited opening ceremony of the new restaurant “Rennbahn” in the centre of Neuburg after renovation work taking three years. The new owner spent almost 3m Euros to renovate this historic building, formerly a theatre, which dates back to about 1850. It has the largest stammtisch in the city. Stammtisch means a table reserved for regular customers for meetings, discussions – and for food and drink!
(Stamm = tribe, tree trunk; Tisch = table) http://www.rennbahn-neuburg.de/
SOME INTERESTING EXAMPLES FROM CANADA HERE: http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/historic-buildings-modern-uses
THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE FUND (UK) – “The AHF appreciates that neglected buildings which are all too familiar in our towns, cities and countryside can, with a little imagination and a lot of enthusiasm, be rescued to become assets for their communities by people wanting to make a difference. The AHF has helped hundreds of organisations throughout the UK to do exactly that.”
FORMER POTTERY NOW EXCITING CULTURAL AND BUSINESS COMPLEX
Hoults Yard is a modern and vibrant office and studio complex situated in the former industrialised Ouseburn area of Newcastle upon Tyne, now a major cultural centre. The complex was initially built for the renowned Tyneside pottery Malings which, at its peak, employed over 1,000 staff at the site. The Hoult family acquired the business and used the space for storage and removals until 1983. In recent years it has been transformed from an industrial estate to a vibrant and flexible office complex with lots of character, attracting both traditional and modern businesses – in design, digital, marketing, music studios, manufacturing and more, and it’s also a venue for exhibitions, events and parties – with unique venues such as the soundproofed Warehouse which houses monthly Shindig events and the graffiti covered Think Tank, which hosts live bands most weekends. Recent developments have focused on revitalising the historic buildings, creating Maling Studios, The Old Forge and The Boiler House.
https://houltsyard.wordpress.com/about-hoults-yard/
more information: Charlie Hoult – charlie@houltsyard.co.uk
NEW APARTMENTS FROM HISTORIC OLD TOWN HOUSES
Two historic buildings in Newcastle upon Tyne, which have been derelict for years, have been restored to their former glory. The Summerhill Apartments to the west of Newcastle city centre have been restored as part of a plan to regenerate one of the city’s conservation area. One of the buildings is grade-II listed and dates from around 1820, and both properties contain numerous original features, including stained glass windows, coving, ceiling roses, fire places, decorative pillars, doors and door frames – all of which have been respected in the renovations.
Newcastle City Council Leader Nick Forbes said “I’m pleased to see these homes brought back into use and contributing to the housing mix in this popular part of the city – they are obviously lovely places for individuals to live but, just as importantly, they also benefit the wider community.”
As part of the redevelopment, Newcastle City Council gave the community group the Friends of Summerhill Bowling Club, which backs onto the properties, a section of one of their gardens, which is being made into a community orchard and accessible garden, with bee hives.
The renovation work was carried out by housing provider Leazes Homes and Esh Property Services. Leazes Homes is an affordable housing provider based in Newcastle upon Tyne that was set up in 2009 by Newcastle City Council and became an independent charity to provide social housing in 2012. It offers a range of housing options to those in need, from family homes to supported living for older people and those with additional care needs.
https://www.leazeshomes.org.uk/2015/09/01/leazes-homes-restore-summerhill-apartments/
Chair of Leazes Homes, Bill Midgley (left) and Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes in the garden of one of the properties.
WORLD’S FIRST LOCO FACTORY TAKES ON NEW ROLE
The Stephenson Works in Newcastle upon Tyne was the first factory in the world for manufacturing railway locomotives, built in 1823 and listed Grade II (heritage, protected). The works are located within the city’s redevelopment area called The Stephenson Quarter, now under construction. The developers say that the fine contemporary hotels and office blocks, restored listed buildings, new public realm, an exceptional contemporary art and culture programme, great restaurants, bars and events spaces will combine to make this one of the most desirable urban locations in the UK. The development will include the restoration of the listed Locomotive Works including the Pattern Shop, Boiler Shop and Coppersmith Shop through the creation of new studios, restaurant, event and retail space. Already there is a vibrant monthly event in the boiler shop (“The Boiler Shop Steamer”) with food, drink, music and art.
http://transportheritage.com/find-heritage-locations.html?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=801
FORMER POWER STATION BEING BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
An historic former power station is being brought back to life by businessman and former Newcastle United Football Club Chairman Freddy Shepherd.
His company Shepherd Offshore Ltd is aiming to expand its multi-million pound Neptune Park renewable energy operations, after buying the old power station and surrounding 10-acre site. Plans could create as many as 150 skilled jobs and will continue the revival of the banks of the River Tyne after the loss of shipbuilding. The site formed part of Neptune Bank Power Station, which was a coal-fired power plant commissioned in 1901 by the Newcastle upon Tyne Electric Supply Company and was opened by electricity pioneers Charles Merz and William McLellan. It was the first power station in the world to supply three-phase electrical power. Renovation plans include repairing stonework, restoring original flooring and painting.
Mr Shepherd and Shepherd Offshore were the main sponsors of the 2012 Newcastles of the World Conference.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/wallsends-historic-former-power-station-9891982
http://www.shepherdoffshore.com/
newcastlesoftheworld.com 