Development partner sought for historic city centre site
CBRE has been instructed by Cheshire West and Chester Council to seek a development partner to be part of the regeneration of Dee House, a prominent and historic building that has been vacant since the 1990s.
Forming part of the Chester One City Plan, the redevelopment of Dee House is a key aspect of the scheme and the council is moving the project forward this year.
CBRE’s UK development advisory team has been appointed to seek the right partner to bring the site back to life, with a shared vision to create a development of excellence to contribute to the long term regeneration of Chester.
Both Dee House and the site on which it sits have significant historical value. The site covers part of the area of the unexcavated Roman Amphitheatre discovered in 1929 and provides excellent views over the visible section of the amphitheatre, while the building is Grade II-listed due to its special architectural and historic interest.
Dee House is located to the south east of Chester city centre adjacent to the city walls and within close proximity to St John’s Church, the Roman Gardens and Grosvenor Park. The River Dee lies 100m south of the site. Its central location adjacent to the A5268 ring road (Vicar’s Lane) makes the site highly accessible and desirable.
To help facilitate redevelopment and safeguard the integrity of the building, Cheshire West and Chester Council will be instructing vital works to stabilise key parts of the building. These are scheduled to commence this autumn and complete during early 2022.
Alex Andrews, associate director, at CBRE Manchester, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to work with Cheshire West and Chester Council to bring this exciting project forward.
“The preservation of historically significant sites is key to the long term regeneration of Chester and breathing life back into a site that has been redundant for over 30 years will not only enhance the immediate area, it will also add to the wider attraction of the city itself, encouraging both tourists and locals alike to enjoy Chester city centre at its very best.”
Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The council and the Dee House and Amphitheatre Working Group have the collective view that Dee House is an important historical asset for the city of Chester and should be redeveloped and modernised for the 21st century, while retaining its historic appearance and unique characteristics.
“It is a building with great potential in a prominent location in the centre of a well known and historic city. Anyone who chooses to join the council in investing in its future is sure to benefit, helping to transform it into a place visitors and residents can enjoy for many years to come.”
Andy Foster, of Dee House and Amphitheatre Working Group, said: “After more than a year of deliberations and taking guidance from experts in the field of archaeological and historic building preservation, the working group concluded that Dee House should be saved and redeveloped.
“We are keen to see progress this year and the plan is to prepare a planning application to seek permission to begin stabilisation work as soon as possible in the autumn, which will enable a long term end use to come forward.”
