Plans to turn old listed town hall into hotel
LDRSA landmark heritage building could be revived as an "apart-hotel" under new plans.
Sunderland City Council's planning department has received an application for the Grade II-listed Quayside Exchange in High Street East.
Dating back to the 1810s, the site was designed by John Stokoe of Newcastle and was once the town hall, courthouse, post office and market.
Decisions on the plans, which include both a change of use application and separate listed building consent bid for works, are expected following a consultation.
Quayside Exchange Land & Estates have applied for permission to change the use of the "existing restaurant/function venue" to an apart-hotel with associated alterations, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A heritage statement submitted with the plans confirms 24 rooms would be created within the building, together with a further five rooms in the modern annex to the west.
It also said "turning a part derelict building into a thriving residential hub" would "support and encourage others to develop neighbouring buildings", helping regenerate the area.
Although it noted there was potential for the development to "impact upon the historic fabric of the listed building", the developers said the "external appearance would remain largely unaltered".