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The huge and historic home of the former Royal Mail sorting offices could soon be demolished and transformed into residential apartments.
Overlooking St Mary’s Rest Garden, the Bendigo Building in Bath Street was named after 19th Century St Ann’s champion boxer William ‘Bendigo’ Thompson, who went undefeated in 23 fights during his career which spanned from 1825 until 1850.
The building, which was the home of the Royal Mail offices up until 2002, gained its name as it overlooks the All England champion’s gravestone.
Property developer Godwin Developments announced that it had acquired the building on June 25, with plans to demolish it and transform the site into mixed-use residential properties.
Stephen Pratt, group land director for Godwin, said a planning application will be lodged with Nottingham City Council in the next two to three months, with work proposed to begin in the next 18 to 24 months.
He said: “To say we are pleased to have acquired this major site in my own home city is an understatement.
“We are truly excited about the opportunity to breathe new life into this iconic and historical building within Nottingham city centre, which has been prime for redevelopment since the former Royal Mail office closed in 2002.
“The scheme will provide much-needed brand new residential units in the city, which is in the midst of a £2 billion construction boom.
“We intend to take the development forward quickly, and will work closely with local planners, the community and the council to ensure it provides the best possible opportunities for Nottingham.
“Despite current challenges, this scheme highlights again our ability to continue to drive forward in the face of adversity.
“We believe there is every reason to remain optimistic due to the strong underlying fundamentals within the residential sector.”
It is thought the development will create up to 300 jobs, 40 of which full-time once the project is underway.
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Godwin Developments purchased the site off Emma Property Management, which is directed by Nottingham-based property developer Ken Grundy.
Mr Grundy has owned the building since 1993 and before referred to it as “the ugliest building in Nottingham”.
He has before started work on the site, which he himself coined the Bendigo Building, to transform it into 101 apartments, but it has now been sold to Godwin Developments to take the plans forward.
Mr Grundy said: “The Bendigo Building is a significant site within the city of Nottingham and I am very pleased that my family business, Emma Property Management and Godwin Developments have been able to collaborate on the redevelopment of this important site at the western edge of the Creative Quarter.
“Godwin Developments’ plans for the redevelopment will support the on-going transformation of Nottingham’s city centre and will provide a great boost to the region during these unprecedented times.”
