Metropole Hotel, Cannon Street, Dover

A former historic hotel in the heart of Dover has been converted into flats to rent following the completion of a £1.5million urban renewal project and is being highlighted as a good example of what can be done under the…

metropoleA former historic hotel in the heart of Dover has been converted into flats to rent following the completion of a £1.5million urban renewal project and is being highlighted as a good example of what can be done under the No Use Empty Initiative, which aims to bring back empty properties back into use.

The former Metropole Hotel now provides 28 one and two bedroom flats. The ground floor consists of a pub and retail outlets, but these are entirely separate from the flats, which have their own entrance to the building.

Built in 1895, the building has had a number of uses over the years, including a cinema and a bar, but had remained derelict for over 15 years becoming an eyesore attracting squatters and vandals.

metropole_before The top three storeys of the building have been given a new lease of life following the successful completion of a renovation project by Lilydale Properties and new owners, Town and Country Housing Group. This has ensured that one of Dover’s landmark buildings is restored and helping to revitalise the town centre as a place to live.

The project was boosted by an Empty Properties Grant of more than £200,000 from Dover District Council as it was uneconomical to refurbish/renovate the hotel, due to the extent of the works needed in order to make the scheme viable. The first tenants moved in shortly after completion. The project is an excellent example of how intervention by a local authority can help turn an empty building into much needed housing for the local community.

Town and Country spokeswoman Wendy Bishop said it was fitting that a hotel where excited travellers would once spend their last night before departing for the continent was now providing a place where people could build their futures.