Rooftop bar and sun terrace

Project description: Bar/terrace on roof of grade II listed building in conservation area

Project status: Approved (under construction)

San Lorenzo rooftop bar, Warrington

I was commissioned to project manage and lead on all planning and heritage aspects of this technically challenging project for a terrace, restaurant and bar on the roof of a Grade II listed building within the Warrington Cultural Quarter/Palmyra Square Conservation Area.

The local area has undergone considerable regeneration improvements over the last 18 months and the front of this former Treasury Office holds a commanding position on the square, next to two other listed buildings. The ambition was to build on the restaurant’s growing reputation as the premier Italian restaurant in town by providing a top quality alfresco dining experience and terrace bar.

The co-joined planning and listed building consent applications for a roof top bar, sun terrace and outdoor dining area on the roof were painstakingly prepared in the autumn of 2018. It involved briefing and supervising heritage, noise and odour consultants together with instructing and working collaboratively with DOVE Architecture and Design of Stockton Heath to refine the design and materials for the project, right down to the types of glass and colour of the walls.

Due to the listed status of the building, the Council’s planning and heritage officers asked for some amendments during consideration of the application, which unfortunately caused a number of delays and re-designs due to the construction requirements for the building. However, acting as the sole interface between the Council and the project team, I was able to negotiate resolutions and instruct amendments to the proposals to secure approval. Permission was approved and the venue is expected to open in spring 2019.

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