Media Release, Thursday 29 March 2007

Alpha Street To Be Restored To Glory

Cambridge’s historic Alpha Street’s corner is to be restored to its former glory after the unveiling of new plans to refurbish several of its historic buildings.

In consultation with the Historic Places Trust, developer Symphony Group plans to refurbish the well-known Sample Room and National Hotel, and develop new buildings in the surrounding corner. The hotel has been leased to an operator who will be carrying out it’s refurbishment as part of the overall project.

Symphony Group director Adam Reynolds says while the National Hotel is protected by the Historic Places Trust, it also plans to restore the neighbouring Sample Room (which is not protected by the Trust) in good faith.

“Our intention is to restore these prominent buildings to their former glory and create an environment that mixes the old with the new. This will ensure the new buildings are in keeping with the style and vintage of the original buildings,” Mr Reynolds says.

Symphony plans to build two to three new buildings in the surrounding area. These buildings will also be built to complement Alpha Street’s classic and historical era.

Symphony has also been working in consultation with the Waipa District Council which has agreed that the buildings are consistent with the Central Cambridge Character Area and its strict design guidelines.

Symphony plans to build three buildings on the 4,500 square metre site it owns, including four retail outlets of approximately 115-180 square metres each. Above these tenancies will be a single retail store, of which the frontage is also in keeping with the character of the Alpha Street area.

Another specialty retail building is also to be built with features similar to the neighbouring National Hotel and Sample Room. “We anticipate this building will attract tenants such as high and boutique fashion retailers,” Mr Reynolds says.

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