A property development company has submitted plans to redevelop the 120-year-old former Barclays Bank in Alderley Edge.
Abode Residencies, which provides student accommodation, has purchased the three-storey grade II-listed site at 22 London Road and plans to set up its headquarters at the distinctive property, which has been vacant since 2022.
The plans include building an extension to the rear of the listed building to accommodate the stairs.
The planning application states "The minimal nature of the external works should be noted as it is intentional and we seek only to restore the building and do not propose any significant augmentation. The exception is to the West elevation where an already heavily modified elevation will be carefully stripped of the redundant services.
"The elevation is intended to be repaired, repointed and retained. The new stair tower, which we proposed to build in frameless structural glazing will provide vertical circulation from second floor down to ground floor. It is required for day-to-day building use and most critically as a means of fire egress from the upper storeys."
Ashley Ladson, the group's founder and CEO, said the renovation should be complete in July 2025, subject to planning approval.
He said: "It is a beautiful building – probably the most recognisable building in Alderley Edge centre – and will make the perfect headquarters for the Abode group.
"The façade speaks for itself with local red sandstone and ornate carvings. Inside there is old paneling and cornicing, four-metre high ceilings and stained glass windows which are great original features that we will want to preserve.
"Effectively, we're planning to extend the top floor into the attic space, making it two-storey in height with a mezzanine floor connecting to an outdoor roof garden.
"The ground and first floor will have a neo classical design with a mix of wood-paneled and glass partition walls, a feature marble bar with tea and coffee-making facilities and break-out rooms with so people can come in for meetings in really impressive surroundings.
"When it's completed it will have a feel of boutique hotel meets high-end offices."
A previous application to convert the historic premises into flats was withdrawn last year and new proposals are being prepared which will see internal alterations to convert the former bank into high-tech energy efficient offices.
The plans can be viewed on the Cheshire East Planning Portal by searching fro planning reference 24/3110M.
