TODD Architects has won planning permission to redevelop the Grade II-listed Central Methodist Hall in Birmingham into a hotel-led leisure scheme.
The Hall was originally built in 1904 and became the Que Club in 1989, hosting artists such as David Bowie, Daft Punk and Blur. The club went out of use in 2017 and the building declined onto Heritage England’s At Risk register.
TODD Architects plans call for a 150-room hotel with eight bars and restaurants at ground and basement levels. The Central Hall will be refurbished into a 1500-seat event space with the pulpit area redefined as a stage. In addition, a members club with cocktail lounge, two external terraces and flagship rooftop restaurant are being proposed.
Once the renovation completed, the hotel will be operated by Press Up Hospitality Group under The Dean brand which has locations in Ireland. This project marks the first Dean location outside of Ireland.
The Central Methodist Hall offers the opportunity to mix the height of Victorian grandeur with a fresh and contemporary take on the modern hospitality offer. Whilst it remains necessary to extend the building vertically to ensure the project is commercially viable, Birmingham City Council planners recognised our proposals will ensure this is done sensitively and allow the full restoration of the Central Hall space to be enjoyed by generations to come.
Seamus Lennon, principal at TODD Architects
