Visitor centre set to become boutique hotel

Friday 06 December 2019

The States has backed a real estate developer's plans to turn the Tourist Information Centre building into a boutique hotel.

It has been announced today that the RED Fund is the States' preferred bidder for the site, which is one of six places that the Seafront Enhancement Area Steering Group earmarked last year as ripe for development.

The Fund is currently working with third-party agencies and has a four-month exclusivity window to firm up the finer details of its submission, which are not yet known. 

Deputy Charles Parkinson, member of the Seafront Enhancement Area Steering Group, said the decision over what the States office would house had been narrowed down to a boutique hotel and an art gallery. 

"We had a number of expressions of interest which largely fell into two different groups," he said. "One was an arts centre or Victor Hugo centre, and the other was people who were interested in developing a boutique hotel." 

Pictured: Earlier this year, The RED Fund acquired a 14.67 acre industrial site on Route Militaire, known colloquially as the Data Park site, as well as the L'Eree Bay Hotel and three office properties in Jersey. 

"An art gallery requires a lot of white walls and not many windows, which this building has a lot of. We are keen on developing an art gallery and a Victor Hugo centre but we don't think this is the right site for that - there are other sites where we can do that better." 

Deputy Parkinson said it is possible that there might still be space for the tourist information centre inside the building under the RED Fund's plans. If not, he said another location "in the centre of town" would be used instead. 

And he gave a strong indication that the landmark building would remain in States ownership.

"It will probably be leased [to the RED Fund], we haven't delved into the commercial details yet. They are going to develop their plan for the site and we will be closely involved in that."

Pictured: RED fund, a real estate developer which is backed by private investors with Channel Islands’ links, has made several notable investments since registering in the island last November. 

Explaining the decision to back the RED Fund's proposal, Deputy Parkinson said: "We were impressed with the vision and enthusiasm of the RED fund team and felt that they understood the potential of the site to grow and diversify our economy and benefit the whole community."

RED Fund Chairman Andrew Haining, who was unable to attend the press call, said in his written statement that they had grand plans for historic site. 

"It has been an exciting first year for RED fund as we have completed on two significant sites in Guernsey and are currently negotiating on a number of others in both Guernsey and Jersey," he said. "Our investors believe in the Channel Islands and want to play their part in their future success. The Tourist Information Centre is a fantastic building which is full of history and we are excited about its future transformation into something the whole island can be proud of."

Pictured top: Deputy Charles Parkinson.