Luxury apartment block on Court Street gets green light

The development, which will comprise 31 apartments, will be situated on the corner of Court and North Street in Hamilton at the foot of Till’s Hill.

Designers believe the block could make a “mark in the sand” in the North Pembroke area and spark further development.

The project is the brainchild of Calworth Furbert, whose family has owned the land for generations.

The land is currently home to an old pink building that comprises two one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.

Under plans drawn up by Jon Wilson Allen, director of Entasis Architecture, the old building would be demolished and replaced by a luxury 10-storey block.

Balconies

The building will consist of four one-bedroom apartments, 23 two-bedroom homes and four three-bedroom homes.

The apartments have balconies and there is a shared garden terrace on the roof.

Landscaped green roofs will dot the development and there will be two major pieces of public art at street level.

The plans were initially rejected by the Development Applications Board because they went against the City Plan’s six-storey limit in this location.

But developers appealed and an independent inspector recommended the development get the green light.

Planning Minister Walter Roban went along with the inspector’s opinion and allowed the appeal.

Mr. Wilson Allen told the Bermuda Sun: “The current building is reaching the end of its useful life and this new block will make a statement.

 “It was never going to attract approval from the DAB because of the storey limit that is in place.

“But we always believed the development stood a chance when it went to appeal because it is very much within the spirit of the City Plan.

Iconic

“This location is one of the major portals to the city and it deserves an iconic landmark.

“North-east Hamilton is a jewel waiting to be polished. So much can be done there.

“There is a great sense of community waiting to be enhanced and it is deserving of investment and support.

“This is a great part of town and needs someone to make the first move.

“Full credit to Mr. Furbert for having the vision to pursue this project.

“A sparkling building like this could mean that others follow.”

The new block will contain a junior gym to promote exercise among children, while a high-ceilinged commercial space on the ground floor could be used to house a coffee shop, a small bistro or a store.

The development, which has seen project technologist Paulo Sosa working late into the night, also offers underground parking.

Mr. Furbert said: “I am very pleased that this development has been given the go-ahead.

“It is an exciting project that will be a landmark in the north of Hamilton.