Built in the 1880s, it was originally Lilley’s Hotel Arcadian, a 19th century bolt hole for genteel Victorians leaving smog riddenLondon for Margate’s fresh sea air.
The Arcadian was subsequently converted into twelve flats.
The property had been unoccupied for many years and run down to the point of dereliction, reducing a once iconic building to a major eyesore.
Discussions with the freeholder had been ongoing for a number of years, with no real prospects of the project moving forward.
The Arcadian is located directly opposite the proposed new iconic £17 Million, Turner Contemporary gallery.
It became a priority for Thanet District Council to deal with the condition of the Arcadian, which was having a negative impact on the surrounding area.
Consequently, Thanet District Council served a notice under Section 215, Town&Country Planning Act 1990, requiring the freeholder to improve the external appearance of the property.
Case Studies: Section 215 Town&Country Planning Act 1990
The freeholder failed to comply with the terms of the notice and it was clear that without direct intervention by the Council, the property would remain in a poor condition.
Consequently, the Council instigated Compulsory Purchase proceedings under section 226 Town&Country Planning Act 1990
The freeholder lodged an appeal against the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and the matter was to be dealt with by a Planning Inquiry.
Mr Berger, one of the leaseholders approached the Council to discuss the option of him purchasing all interests in the Arcadian. On that basis he asked whether the Council would withdraw the CPO
Due to the time constraints surrounding the imminent opening of the Turner Contemporary, the Council was not prepared to withdraw the CPO.
Turner Contemporary
However, if he was able to acquire all interests in the property, ensure that the current objection against the CPO was withdrawn and carried out those works specified in the Section 215 Notice, then the Council would be prepared to withdraw the CPO.
This partnership approach was agreed. The Council secured the CPO, but did not proceed to the General Vesting Declaration (GVD), which would have vested the property into the Councils ownership.
Mr Berger, eventually secured all relevant interests on a voluntary basis, with all parties being aware that should there be no agreement, the Council would proceed with the GVD.
Mr Berger, then prioritised the external works required by the Section 215 Notice and to be faithful to the Victorian character and history of the building, replicated the Arcadian’s wrought iron balcony and hotel signage.
His effort was recognised by the Margate Civic Society, Town Pride Awards 2011.
Once the external works had been completed, Mr Berger continued with the comprehensive renovation of the Aracdian.
The total development costs for the project was in the order of £1 Million. Kent County Council, through the No Use Empty Initiative was able to provide an interest-free loan of £175,000, with Mr Berger providing the rest of the funding.
The project comprising of 14 one and two bedroom apartments, was completed in November 2011.
The development carefully replicates The Arcadian’s original wrought iron balcony and hotel signage, meaning the Victorian character of the building is retained. Inside, the well-presented apartments are spacious, with Victorian high ceilings and large, panoramic windows. The internal finish includes hand fitted kitchens and solid wood worktops and some apartments have private balconies.
All the apartments have been let, reflecting the high demand for good quality accommodation.
Steve Grimshaw, Project Manager for the No Use Empty scheme said:
“It is important that with house-building declining, we look at ways that we can utilise unused buildings to create quality housing. Thanet District Council has worked tirelessly to ensure this site will have a future and we are delighted to be involved in a project that as well as providing 14 much-needed homes, will further aid the regeneration Margate Old Townfollowing the arrival of the Turner Centre earlier this year.”
Geoffrey Berger, developer of The Arcadian said:
“In the current climate it is extremely challenging to get re-developments of this nature off the ground, and I am grateful to the No Use Empty scheme&Thanet District Council for the assistance they have provided, financial and otherwise, to help turn my vision for the site into a reality.”
Inside Kent Magazine – Issue 9, page 22
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