REVEALED: Eye-catching designs showcase new Wolverhampton homes

The former Coniston House, on Chapel Ash Island, in Wolverhampton, is being turned into 42 luxury apartments by developer Blackacre Limited.

The homes, which are 30 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom properties, have already been put forward for reservations.

Coniston House has been empty for two years, and business chiefs in the city are eager to see it in use again.

One leading city councillor has called the new designs ‘modern’ and ‘impressive’.

President of the Wolverhampton Business Forum and managing director of Carvers, Henry Carver, said it was ‘about time’ the decrepit building was put to good use, as it had been empty so many times before.

He said: “This is an industrial premises that has failed to be rented out for a long period of time.

“Most of my business life – which is a long time – it has been empty. It’s always been a failure as an industrial building.

“I think it’s a good thing we are making use of these derelict buildings. It’s fantastic that it’s being made into urban accommodation.”

In regards to the design of the apartment block he added: “All the buildings in that area have a different design, so I think the architects can have quite a lot of freedom.

“There isn’t an area style, it’s all over the place. All the buildings look different.

“I think it will be fine – the greater good is we get it renovated, we don’t spend a lot of time debating trivial things and we get people in and living in the city centre.

“We are short of accommodation and it will greatly improve the city.”

Deputy mayor of Wolverhampton, Phil Page, has praised the new artist’s impressions, and said: “I think it looks really impressive. It’s modern, it’s colourful and it fits in with Wolverhampton’s new, modern image.

“I think we need these sorts of ideas for empty buildings. We need to bring them back to use. And if they can be made to look exciting, then all the better.”

The development is called the Belvedere Residence, and replaces the former Coniston House, which was last used by 500 Marston’s office workers before they moved to the company’s new headquarters over the road.

It had been used by the now defunct Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust and Bentley Homes before that.

Next to the building is the Attwood Building, which remains empty.

Lee Cooke, senior local director at Connells Wolverhampton, the company in charge of renting out the flats, said: “These apartments are at the leading edge of high design homes at affordable prices and help to provide the much needed housing stock for buyers in a city of immense growth, regeneration and opportunity.

“We would encourage all those interested to come and see us as quickly as possible as we had a very successful launch and already took many reservations.”