New plan for former nightclub site revealed

A striking new design has been unveiled for an apartment and retail building on the site of Stratford’s former Maison nightclub.

This is the second design put forward by Stratford based Studio Spicer Architects for the site following a controversial plan presented to the public last November.

That design, which featured a red and white exterior, was variously described on social media as a joke, a monstrosity, cheap and nasty. One user even questioned if the design had come out of the computer game Minecraft.

Others though were more kind, saying the modern design would keep the town moving forwards, and could even be considered “iconic” in the eyes of some residents.

Taking on comments from November’s public exhibition, Studio Spicer have rethought their design, reducing the height of the building, dropping the original colour scheme and changing the materials that would be used.

With work to demolish the former Maison nightclub well underway, there is much interest in the plan and what could replace the nightspot.

Oliver Spicer, managing director at Studio Spicer Architects, said: “Many of the comments we received at the time of the public consultation were very positive about our proposal to build residential properties on the site. However a number of comments were made about the type of materials we had chosen, they thought it looked too commercial, so we have revised the design using more traditional materials that are more in keeping with the surrounding buildings.

“It has a more angular form now, and we have reduced the height of the building by two storeys. Our new proposal is for 27 one and two bedroom apartments, with retail space on the ground floor. We have reconfigured the apartments and have lost seven apartments by doing this.

“There will be a pool of electric cars for residents to use located at the rear of the building and the apartments would have terrace gardens as opposed to balconies in the original design.

“We have made these changes as a direct response to the consultation and comments from local ward members.

“As a practice we are really pleased that we have created this design for much needed one and two bedroomed apartments in the town centre. Part of our vision is to create a better public realm, this site is part of a gateway into Stratford from the railway station and would be ideal for a retailer as there is enormous footfall at the site.

“A retailer is an important part of the scheme as we want to create a mixed use development, combining commercial, retail and residential properties in a way that creates natural surveillance.”

Mr Spicer confirmed that the development would cost several million pounds to complete.

Planning permission for five dwellings on the site already exists, though a new application for the Studio Spicer design is expected to be validated by Stratford District Council soon.

Peter Burgess, committee member at the Stratford Society, said: “The only comment I can make at the moment is that it is just too big, I think it’s too high for that site. At the moment all is speculation as we have seen no design put forward as a planning application.

“The site itself is quite tight and it would be wrong to build anything of such a big scale there as it would be overwhelming. We will wait to see what a more considered design for the site looks like.”

Would you welcome this project in Stratford? Do you think it is an improvement on the original design? Let us know at news@stratford-herald.com.