Historic building razed on new Lincoln hotel site
A former electricity works building has been levelled to the ground to make way for a new hotel in Lincoln which will create 90 jobs.
The building, in Brayford Wharf North, has been gradually demolished over the last week and the new hotel should be welcoming its first guests by Christmas 2010.
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The former electricity works building in Brayford Wharf North has been demolished.
When complete, the hotel will house 105 bedrooms and eight suites, restaurants, bars and a health and fitness suite.
But the original building, which was constructed in 1898, will not be completely lost during the demolition process.
A stone plaque which celebrates the opening of an extension in 1913 and the former entrance will be placed in the hotel foyer.
The project has received the enthusiastic backing of the City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire Tourism as an important boost to the local economy.
City council development control manager Paul Seddon said the construction of the hotel was a sign of the continuing renaissance in Lincoln city centre.
"The hotel is a major investment at a time when the local economy is experiencing challenging times," he said.
However, it is not without its critics.
Manager of Lincoln Civic Trust Kate Waby said the organisation would have liked the building to be preserved in some way.
"We were not happy about the fact that the site was to be demolished but a decision has been made and we did have an opportunity to comment and make our observations," she said.
"We would have like to have had the building preserved in some way rather than being demolished.
"We do have concerns about the way Lincoln, and particularly the waterfront, is being developed."
For more on the new hotel, see Tuesday's Echo.
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by Kaz, Here
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 7:50AM
“'The waterfront in front of the Echo building is completely underused'
How? It's a road and a pavement.
That was my point. There's no proper pedestrain connection to the rest of the Brayford and just a collection of uninspired buildings that have no proper connection with the street at ground level. It's a wasted opportunity when you compare it to the rest of the waterfront (leaving aside the appalling 'architecture').
Another bland building on the waterfront would appear to be what Lincoln wants and if that's the case it's no more than it deserves.”
by M C Donald, Lincoln
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 2:02PM
“So fatuesque's solution to urban regeneration and business redevelopment is a big amusement arcade. Well blow me down, the untapped resources of business acumen and vision in this county amazes me.”
by Steve, South Hykeham
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 12:22PM
“Some people unfortunately don¿t have the foresight to realise that a certain duel carriageway is being built not too far away from our boundary that will make Lincoln far more accessible for businesses or people wanting to invest in the city.
If there aren¿t the facilities in place in order to make a proposition viable in the first place, prospectors will just ignore the opportunities and look elsewhere.”
by Mudtree, .
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 11:57AM
“The echo is moving to the ground floor of what used to be called Wigford House. The Uni will be purchasing the Echo building and refurbishing it, to be used as their new faculty of business and law, with a management development school on the ground floor”
by lynn, lincoln
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 11:33AM
“Fatuesque - No doubt I will be one of many to say, the Echo is moving next door and the University is taking over the Echo's premises.”
by fatuesque, lincoln
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 11:26AM
“Maybe the echo offices on the waterfront will be turned into something as i believe i read that the echo are moving.
Although i do think that if it becomes just another bar there will be way way too many bars in lincoln.
If it were turned into something like a large amusement arcade it would be nice.Lincoln already has everything else.
I still dont think there is enough capacity for another hotel in lincoln, surely not that many people visit lincoln and the numbers are set to decline since the council stopped promoting the city.
Granted people come to see the castle etc and there is the christmas market.
Lets face it , lincoln is just a collection of about 100 bars and pubs surrounding a cathedral.”
by lynn, lincoln
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 11:10AM
“A new Hotel will be far more in keeping with the surroundings. This building is a complete eyesore, the sooner it's replaced with a modern structure the better. The Plaque and former entrance are to be placed in the new Hotel Foyer, that sounds like a fitting memorial.”
by Ian, Lincoln
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 10:32AM
“'The waterfront in front of the Echo building is completely underused'
How? It's a road and a pavement.”
by M C Donald, Lincoln
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 10:28AM
“fatuesque, I think you find most of hotels are use by busines people rather than holidaymakers.”
by Kaz, Here
Tuesday, June 30 2009, 9:21AM
“Yes, and now you're 10/20 years behind everywhere else where they've realised that historic buildings are an asset which, with a bit of creative thinking, can be put to new uses. Yes the Brayford is busy but the buildings are an eyesore, particularly when you consider the attractive warehouse buildings that could have been adapted for exactly the same uses as the new buildings. The waterfront in front of the Echo building is completely underused thanks to some appalling town planning.”