Homes conversion planned for art deco Urmston cinema
Rayner Rowen Developments has submitted proposals to convert the former Curzon cinema off Bowfell Circle into 42 apartments.
The cinema was operational from 1936 to 2008 and is currently occupied by Flixton Dance Academy, which is due to close.
A planning statement prepared by consultancy Maddox states that the conversion would provide an “innovative and sympathetically designed residential apartment scheme over five floors, retaining and sensitively restoring the art deco frontage of the former cinema building”.
Designed by Patrick Wilson Architects, the Urmston development would see the building’s frontage retained.
The rest of the building, which is not listed, would be demolished.
Two parallel extensions would be constructed to the rear of the cinema building, housing the majority of the properties.
All of the apartments would be available for shared ownership in partnership with a registered provider.
To learn more, search for reference number 109879/FUL/22 on Trafford Council’s planning portal.
Preston-based Rayner Rowen Developments is part of Rayner Rowen Construction. The company is involved in schemes across a variety of asset classes including residential, offices, and industrial.
Maybe a pointer for the Abbey Cinema in Wavertree with the proposed supermarket on the ground floor?
By Liverpolitis
A great re-use of a distinctive old building here, maybe the people from Lidl can take note regarding the old Abbey cinema in Wavertree, where they intend to demolish the entire building and replace it with a supermarket, this shows that they could still have their supermarket but , maybe with a partner developer,provide flats above, well done Trafford.
By Anonymous
Bring it back as a cinema
By G
The Tatton Cinema in Gatley, Stockport is a good example of facade retention and new build apartments, it also includes a co-op supermarket on the ground floor.
By Anonymous
26 parking spaces for 42 apartments !!!!
By Anonymous
“The rest would be demolished”. So all the beautiful theatre inside disappears? Make it back into a cinema! Or a public performance/theatre/music venue, or an art gallery, or something to preserve the interior! Such a shame to just build yet more blocks of flats. Yes we need housing but what’s the point of living somewhere with no culture or community. So many memories of that place as a working cinema and it was magic. Should/could be properly preserved and bring some sort of hub for culture to the area that completely missing at the moment.
By Anonymous
Whilst admirable to seek to retain existing buildings of merit, in truth this development will offer prospective residents a very low level of amenity. Many units will face directly on to backs of secondary retail/fast food businesses that flank either side of the building. The scheme needs to be far more comprehensive that addresses the relationship with the adjoining uses.
By Realist
What about parking
By Anonymous
The actual design for the scheme shows deck access to the rear which feels a bit prison like. This is a very challenging site to do anything with so welcome investment, but the desk access needs to be scaled down – otherwise is good start as affordable units but end up as undesirable units. A retail unit at the front is an interesting idea.
By Anonymous
Restore it back to a cinema or a community centre
By Susan Wood
G and Susan Wood, who do you think should open it again as a cinema?
By Anonymous
The area already has a large parking problem, with the hospital located close by which causes congested roads both day and night, as a resident I would be firmly opposed to any development that adds to the already problematic parking situation.
By Anonymous
Great idea we need more housing in urmston
By Jacqueline Ferguson
Mixed feelings here. On the one hand, it’s great if something is done to this wonderful building. However, yet another potential public space lost. Where is the imagination to have Stretford version of the Stockport Plaza? We have no end of regeneration talk but precious little to show for it. Trafford must be top of the league for councils that destroy it’s history
By Larry Wilson
So many comments about bringing it back as a cinema or a community cultural centre, this is true, all our cultural centres are being destroyed, this is all about profit for greedy developers, if it is to be flats they should be eco builds with a much smaller amount, and yes it’s does look like a prison in the plans!
By Anonymous
Bowfield Circle?
Never heard it called that I’m from Urmston, born in the 50s.
By pete
Hi Pete, I have updated and corrected the article as it should read Bowfell Circle. This is the name of the roundabout according to planning documents. Thanks, Dan
By Dan Whelan
Local infrastructure cannot take more residential here. The roundabout is already dangerous and more cars coming on / off would be a disaster. 2 local schools. This was another very valuable community space being taken away. Trafford should refurbish all the empty properties. Shared ownership is not good for first time buyers
By Katy Lees
Possible 42 more vehicles, if not more, the area cannot cope with this influx. Insufficient parking already, residential parking taken up by personnel from Trafford General Hospital, day and night. Will cause even more gridlock than is currently the case
By KAD