Ascena has been appointed as the hotel operator for the £120m Guildhall development in Nottingham, the scheme will be submitted for detailed planning over the next few weeks
The Guildhall building itself will house the hotel, while more modern extensions at the back of the building would be demolished and rebuilt.
Ascena will bring a 160-bed four-star hotel offering to the city which will include a rooftop fine dining restaurant, spa and wedding and conference facilities.
The remaining part of the site, including the old fire and police stations, is subject to a mixed-use redevelopment which will be announced soon.
Following detailed planning approval, it is likely that work will start on the hotel in autumn 2020.
Ascena has been working over the past few months to bring forward the redevelopment of the listed Guildhall.
John Wilby, project lead for Ascena, said: “We are delighted that this scheme has taken a significant step forward. We will soon be submitting the development for planning and it is likely that all being well, that work will start on site in autumn 2020.
“It is a landmark development for the city and a key destination for people across the East Midlands. The Guildhall is an amazing building and we are naturally delighted to be working the city council.
“There will be a new lightweight extension to the northern elevation of the existing Guildhall to replace an unsightly latter-day extension.
“We will be utilising high-grade materials and are working closely with our heritage consultant Turley and Historic England to ensure that this listed building is brought back to its former glory.”
