PLANS to convert an ageing office building in St Helier into an 89-bedroom hotel have been approved in a welcome boost to the Island’s shrinking visitor accommodation stock.
The Union House scheme, designed by MAC Architectural Services on behalf of Vadis Ltd, will transform the partly vacant office block on the corner of Union Street and Le Geyt Street into a hotel with a ground-floor restaurant and bar.
The developer said the project would bring “much-needed visitor accommodation” into the town centre while returning the landmark building to full use.
The Island has seen a significant decline in the number of tourist beds available in recent years, having lost several hotels including the Mayfair, Stafford, Revere and Apollo.
The Chamber of Commerce and Jersey Hospitality Association both previously gave their backing to the Union House plans, saying they were reflective of “growing confidence” in the visitor economy.
Previous Chamber president Lee Madden said that projects of this scale helped support jobs and stimulate local spending, while strengthening Jersey’s “long-term attractiveness” as a destination for both leisure and business visitors.
Jersey Hospitality Association co-chief executives Ana and Marcus Calvani said that such projects provided “much-needed modern accommodation stock”, adding: “Over the last couple of years, we have spent significant time working alongside industry and government to help ensure economic impact and wider Island benefit play a far greater role within planning and policy decisions.
“…It is encouraging to now see further projects coming forward that reflect renewed confidence and momentum within the sector.”
