Landmark Newport city centre building transformed to provide affordable apartments

And the father and son team between the project at Albany Chambers - on the corner of Skinner Street and Commercial Street - are about to turn their attention to revamping another city centre building.

Developers MVR Solutions, owned by Steve and Jon Moore, acquired Albany Chambers early in 2017 and worked with Newport City Homes to develop nine affordable apartments inside the building.

The apartments were officially unveiled on Thursday, March 28. Jon Moore explained that the aim was to create a very high-quality modern finish, which retains the character and impressive exterior facade of the Victorian Grade II listed building.

The contractors worked closely conservation officers to maintain the original external features, roof alterations and feature staircase.

Newport City Homes will be leasing the commercial properties underneath the apartments at street level. Development Manager Julie Page explained: “Albany Chambers reflects our commitment to deliver affordable housing with our residents at the heart of what we do.

"Part of our 2020 Vision is to regenerate our existing housing stock and provide new homes – these apartments have been specially designed to appeal to residents who have a specific need to be located within the heart of Newport.

“We’re also taking into account how accessible Newport is by public transport – although there’s no parking facility due to its location, Newport bus and train station is right on the doorstep. This is a really exciting development for us and will help to secure the heritage of a listed building within Newport city centre.”

MVR Solutions has worked closely with architect Kennedy James Griffiths on the Albany Chambers project.

Jon Moore said: “The possibility of regenerating larger run down and mainly vacant properties, and developing these for affordable housing is a practical solution to help ease the well-publicised existing housing shortage.”

“We truly believe that these developments will greatly help to raise the profile of the area around Skinner Street and surrounding local businesses.”

Following the success of Albany Chambers, MVR Solutions has recently acquired the previous Art College at Charles Street in Newport, which has been granted planning permission for 16 affordable apartments and will commence later this year in partnership with Newport City Homes.