£1.8m boutique hotel opens near King Richard III discovery site

A new £1.8m boutique hotel has opened in Leicester overlooking the site where the remains of King Richard III were discovered.  

Two empty office buildings in Peacock Lane and New Street have been converted into the 28-bedroomed St Martins Lodge.

Building Services Design (BSD) provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for the grade II-listed Georgian buildings, with many of the original features being retained – including the hallway, with its chandelier and staircase.

Joel Sawyer, director at BSD, the lead designer on the project: said: “We’re delighted to be involved in a project that has created modern, elegant accommodation while at the same time, honouring the heritage of the important site and its surroundings.”

As 40% of the hotel – located directly opposite Leicester Cathedral – is of listed status, all original internal cornices, ceilings and floors are having to be retained, meaning BSD had to design the building services around the structure of the existing building.

Nick Quinn, director of St Martins House, said: “With our neighbouring conference and events centre, St Martins House, located only a few steps away, we are now able to offer a 24-hour conference rate – including overnight accommodation with breakfast – alongside our function run hire and catering facilities.

“This is frequently requested by conference and wedding hosts so St Martins Lodge is now meeting a known demand and adding to the room capacity available for business and for tourism in the city.”