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The Unionist Building

Bringing forward a viable scheme on a constrained city centre site

Sunlit street scene with a modern four-storey red-brick apartment building, large tree and pedestrians by parked cars.
The Unionist Building sits on a city centre site with tight boundaries, close neighbours and a planning history that set a clear limit on what was likely to be accepted.

The aim was to bring forward a viable scheme that made the most of the site. The proposal outlined a mixed-use development of 19 apartments with a ground floor commercial unit and undercroft parking.
Client
Developer
Location
Chester
Status
In Progress
Property
Mixed-use development
Scope
Commercial Conversion
Refurbishment
Modern red-brick and dark-paneled apartment buildings lining a narrow sunlit street with a red car parked below and distant trees visible beyond.

What mattered

A larger scheme had already been refused on the site, so it was evident that pushing scale too far wouldn’t get through planning. Overlooking and neighbour impact were key issues, particularly given how close surrounding properties sit to the site.

Commercial viability was also a key driver. The scheme needed to maximise the number of units while still aligning with planning policy and the character of the area.

There were also less visible constraints to deal with. Archaeology, drainage limitations, bat presence and air quality all had a direct influence on what could be proposed and how it could be built. 

Modern red-brick mixed-use building with tall black-framed windows, rooftop terraces and a street-level entrance sign reading UNIONIST.

Our approach

The design takes a measured position on scale, stepping the building to reduce its impact and help it sit more comfortably within the street. Materials were chosen to reflect the surrounding context, using sandstone to tie the building back to Chester.

The scheme was adjusted as planning feedback came in, with changes made to elements such as balconies and external screening to address overlooking concerns.

Aerial illustration of a modern brick corner building with flat roof, balconies, tree canopy at left and cars on the street below.

We also coordinated a wide range of consultants – heritage, archaeology and environmental specialists – bringing together over 20 reports to support the planning application.

Archaeological findings on site led to a change in foundation strategy. A piled solution was adopted to minimise ground disturbance following the discovery of Roman and medieval remains.

The outcome

The proposal strikes a balance between what the site can realistically support, and what the development needs to achieve commercially.

It responds to its surroundings without overreaching, using scale, material and layout to settle into the street rather than dominate it.

Modern brick apartment building with tall windows, balconies and a sign reading UNIONIST, street and parked cars in front
Red-brick modern building entrance with illuminated "UNIONIST" sign above glass doors and a tree-lined pavement with a red post box.