A consultation is set to be launched over the proposed redevelopment of an 'ugly' city centre building housing shops Poundland and Bon Marché.
It was reported last year that investors had taken over the building in Lower Parliament Street which houses the shops at ground floor level.
They announced their intention of creating student flats above the two city shops which will be unaffected by the plans.
Maven Property (Nottingham) LP is now launching a public consultation inviting discussion on the project.
Developers hope to extend the building and upgrade its appearance in a bid to create 59 individual bedrooms and 51 studio flats.
Shoppers said the building would benefit from a revamp but that they were unsure on whether the addition of student flats was a good idea.
Callum Chester, 21, who lives in Aspley, described the building as a "giant ugly cinderblock".
"The buildings around it are mostly old brick buildings and it sticks out pretty badly," he said.
"I don't usually give it much attention but it really looks like a giant ugly cinderblock.
"If they improve the look of it and the businesses get to stay, although it's only a pound shop and clothes shop, I don't see why it would be a bad idea."
Levi Chambers, 20, who studies at Nottingham College, added: "I think it's a good idea as it gets people out of crowded houses.
"It's a good location, I think most of the minute that it would take to get to the Victoria Centre would be walking down the stairs in the flats.
"The clubs are right down the street, too."
Under the plan, the current ‘concrete-bunker’ style façade would be upgraded using materials to improve the street appearance of the area while remaining sympathetic to the two adjacent conservation areas.
Additional levels would be added, creating a development of three levels fronting Lower Parliament Street, stepping up to a maximum of five floors elsewhere.
The primary student entry point would front onto Lincoln Street.
The developers made clear that the shops at ground floor level would be retained, saying a pedestrian entrance was hoped to be created to increase footfall around all sides of the building.
Amenities for residents would include shared lounge spaces, a gym, laundry facilities, a reception and bike storage.
Richard Holloway, 59, who lives in Arnold and works at the Pizza Bakery in the Lenton area, said there was a more pressing need for new shops.
"There are too many flats and it's always for students," he said.
"To me it doesn't really look like flat material, I think it would take a fair amount of work to get it looking nice.
"It's in a really good position in the city and there's already plenty of flats.
"It would be something different to have more shops on higher levels, and have some brands like Tommy Hilfiger up there. There's not a lot of high end shops here but there are a lot flats."
Bill Goodman, 64, a carer who lives in St Ann's and used to work at the Victoria Centre, said: "It's a ugly building but students get everywhere don't they. Seems like a lot of flats around.
"Whatever it is the building would look better if they changed it a bit. It's very grey and tired looking.
"It's in a great location, you obviously have the shopping outside but you have all the buses here too which will be useful for students."
Developers said no parking facilities would be included due to the availability of bike storage and the 'prime central location'.
Carolyn McEwan of Maven Capital Partners said: “This scheme will see the complete transformation of a building that is one of the less attractive in Nottingham city centre.
"Our proposals would see an attractive development brought forward to serve Nottingham’s growing student population and to improve the look and feel of the local area.
"In addition, by incorporating yet improving the existing structure into our development we can reduce the environmental impact of construction to create a more sustainable development.”
A planning application has not yet been submitted but Maven Property (Nottingham) is launching an online consultation that will run until March 17.
The units between 191 and 195 Lower Parliament Street were sold to property investors Maven Capital Partners for £3.7million.
The space was originally built as part of the Victoria Centre, connected by the bridge over Lower Parliament Street.
Poundland and Bon Marché were contacted for comment.
The consultation can be viewed by clicking here.
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