The project to construct 25 apartments on the site of the former Fort d’Auvergne Hotel could be complete by the end of 2022.
Planning permission was initially given for 37 apartments on the site in 2009 and extended in 2015, but in January this year owner Morvan Hotels gained permission for a revised 25-unit scheme made up of one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Mike Waddington of Waddington Architects described the concept for the project as ‘a fresh, simple design in keeping with the seaside environment’.
Mr Waddington added: ‘We’re excited to be under way – it’s the sort of site you don’t often see in Jersey, with sea on two sides, and I believe the project will help restore the area to its former glory.’
Work will include refurbishment of part of the hotel building alongside the road and facing the Havre des Pas Bathing Pool to create 13 apartments, he added, with the remaining 12 units within a newly-built section on the south-facing part of the site.
Mr Waddington added: ‘It should be a tremendous spot to live in – within walking distance of St Helier and having access to the eastern cycle network and directly to the beach.’
The Fort d’Auvergne, which had 65 rooms, first opened in the late 1920s and was used as quarters by German officers during the Occupation.
In the planning application for the current scheme, Morvan Hotels said it had been increasingly challenging to operate profitably and it was ‘impractical’ to invest the substantial sums needed to update the site.
The hotel joins the list of others in the area which have either been demolished for housing or converted into apartments over the years, including Hotel de la Plage, the Carlton Hotel and the Seaforth.
Several other hotels in St Helier could soon go the same way. An application lodged by Axis Mason architects on behalf of Dandara for the Mayfair, which has 222 beds and will close at the end of the current summer season, outlined a scheme to replace the hotel with 37 one-bedroom and 67 two-bedroom homes.
Last month, planning permission was granted to demolish the Revere and Stafford Hotels and replace them with 72 one-bedroom, 27 two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom apartments.
Huggler Hotels have applied to demolish the Apollo on St Saviour’s Road and replace it with 91 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments.
Meanwhile, 56 maisonettes and town houses could be built on the Savoy at Rouge Bouillon if a planning application submitted in June is passed.
Morvan Hotels, which operated the Fort d’Auvergne, retains three existing businesses – the Norfolk Lodge, Best Western Royal in St Helier and the Monterey in St Saviour.
Remaining hotels and guesthouses in Jersey
Alister Guest House
Almorah Hotel
Amani Luxury Self Catering
Apollo Hotel
Au Caprice Guest House
Avoca Villa Guest House
Banjo
Beach View Guest House
Beachcombers Hotel
Beau Rivage Hotel
Beausite Hotel
Best Western Royal Hotel
Beuvelande Campsite
Biarritz Hotel
Bleue Lune
Bon Viveur
Boscobel Country Apartments
Brabant Self Catering
Chateau La Chaire Hotel
Cherry Tree Apartments
Cider Press House
Corbiere Phare
De L’Etang
Discovery Bay
Durrell Wildlife Camp
Durrell Wildlife Hostel
Fairholme Guest House
Falaise House Self Catering
Franklyn Guest House
Golden Sands Hotel
Grand Jersey Hotel & Spa
Greenhills Country Hotel
Greve De Lecq Barracks (Arthouse Jersey)
Grosnez Farm
Hampshire Hotel
Harbour View Guest House
Havelock Guest House
Haven Quest House
Hideaway Motorhome and Caravan Stopover
Hotel Ambassadeur
Hotel Cristina
Hotel De France
Hotel de Normandie
Hotel Miramar
Hotel Revere – planning permission in place for replacement with apartments.
Hotel Sandranne
Hotel Savoy – planning permission being sought for replacement with residential accommodation.
Jaylana Guest House
Jersey Accommodation and Activity Centre
La Bonne Vie Guest House
La Ferme du Vau Tocque
La Haule Manor
La Place Hotel and Country Cottages
La Rocco Apartments
Le Hurel Holiday Cottages
Les Ormes de La Mer
Les Ormes Resort
L’Horizon Beach Hotel & Spa
Liberty Wharf Apartments
Longueville Manor
Maison Chaussey
Maison des Landes
Maison Gorey Hotel
Marina Metro Hotel
Mayfair Hotel – due to close at the end of October and be replaced with apartments.
Merton Hotel
Merton Suites
Mont Es Croix Cottages
Monterey Hotel
Mornington Hotel
Norfolk Hotel
Norfolk Lodge Hotel
Oaklands Lodge Hotel
Ocean Walk Apartments
Officers’ Quarters – Greve De Lecq Barracks
Old Bank House Hotel
Old Court House Inn
Ommaroo Hotel
Panama Apartments
Panama House Apartments
Panoramic Apartments
Peterborough House
Pomme d’Or Hotel
Pontac House Hotel
Porthole Suites
Premier Inn Jersey
Prince Of Wales Hotel
Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel
Richelieu Lodge
Rozel Camping Park
Rozel Farm Holiday Cottages
Runnymede Court Hotel
Saco Apartments
Samares Manor
Sarum Hotel
Seafish Cafe & Guest House (St Aubin)
Seascale Hotel and Restaurant
Seawold Guest House
Somerville Hotel
St Brelade’s Bay Hotel
St Magloire Guest House
Stafford Hotel – planning permission in place for replacement with apartments.
Sur La Mer Apartments
Surrey Lodge Guest House
Talana Hotel
Tea Field Cottages
Thalatta Guest House
The Atlantic Hotel
The Beaumont Inn
The Club Hotel & Spa
The Dolphin Hotel
The Inn Jersey
The Lyndhurst Jersey
The Moorings Hotel and Restaurant
The Palms Campsite
The Panorama
The Royal Yacht Hotel
The Sail Loft
Undercliff Guest House
Uplands Apartments
Villa Nova
Villa Villetri
Water’s Edge Chalets
Westhill Country Hotel
Woodland Barn
