A luxury all-suite hotel is to open within the converted Hobson House on St Andrew’s Street in Cambridge.
Designed by Dexter Moren Associates, the property will operate under the Rogue City Hotels brand, and will feature 57 rooms and a destination tea room.
The project will see “key features” of the grade II listed Hobson House preserved, restored and opened up to the public.
The building dates back to 1901, and sits on a site associated with the charity founded by 17th century philanthropist Thomas Hobson. It has formerly served as a workhouse, police and fire station, and most recently as council offices.
New build elements will be “woven into the existing fabric”, and a central covered courtyard is set to be enclosed and converted into a destination tea room and eatery, allowing the public “to access an otherwise ‘land locked’ part of the building”.
The original entrance hall and principal stone staircase will be retained and restored, as will original stained glass windows, and the timber paneling and “bold ceiling pattern” in the Chief Constable’s Office on the first floor.
Commenting on the news DMA Partner Paul Wells said:
“Hobson House is an architectural gem located in Cambridge’s historic city centre, with many fantastic original features local people may be unaware of.
“Sadly, since its conversion to office use in the 1960s the building has suffered from chronic under-investment and its many of its original features have been denied the care they deserve.
“Now that our hotel proposal has been granted permission, [developers] Henley can give the building a new lease of life, not only helping to serve the needs of the city’s many visitors, but also preserving and restoring Hobson House for the local residents to embrace and be truly proud of.”
