New ‘how-to’ guide for the residential development of Chester’s historic Rows

The partnership of Cheshire West and Chester Council, the One City Plan Making Group and think-and-do tank, Chester Great and Small, has officially launched a residential development handbook: ‘Living over the Rows’

This can be viewed on the recently launched OCP website: 

https://www.chesteronecityplan.co.uk/resources

Produced by a trio of GAS experts – including architects, developers and planners – it’s intended to help small and medium-sized developers turn the upper floors of these unique heritage buildings into homes. The launch event was held at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace on Watergate Street as part of Chester Heritage Festival’s ‘Rowvember’ – a month-long celebration showcasing the city’s world-famous and historic 750 years old Rows. 

Named in 2022 as the world’s most beautiful city – according to the mathematical golden ratio – Chester frequently appears in ‘Best Places to Live’ lists and in the UK’s top 10 high-street destinations, and yet, its historic medieval core is still relatively undeveloped in residential terms.

Written from a private sector perspective, ‘Living over the Rows’ offers 20 pages of comprehensive and expert step-by-step guidance, highlighting the major opportunities and potential that exists – some 1,227,000 ft² across 197 buildings – as well as the practical challenges and key considerations of residential development. Four myth-busting case-studies, across Bridge Street and Lower Bridge Street, Eastgate Street and Watergate Street, demonstrate what can actually be achieved through ambitious vision and innovative development.

The reimagining of Chester’s iconic Rows for residential use emerged as a priority for the OCP initially following a 2021 study of the Rows upper floors – courtesy of Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone funding – and the subsequent 2022 review of the OCP.

In 2023, GAS was commissioned by the OCP Making Group to produce a ‘how to’ guide. The three contributors to the report are GAS ambassadors and architects: Tony Barton, heritage consultant and former chair of Donald Insall Associates (DIA); Guy Evans, director Cassidy + Ashton (C+A) and Tony Swindells, founder director of developer, Ōpenhōme. The trio have combined their respective expertise across architecture, heritage, planning, development and investment strategy.

Commenting on the ‘Living over the Rows’ project being identified, commissioned and delivered as a partnership priority under the Making Group of the OCP, its chair Andy Farrall said:

“The spaces above the Rows – are hidden in plain sight – yet are just waiting to be returned to residential accommodation. These beautiful and quirky buildings are central to breathing new life into our city though increased footfall and enhanced vibrancy. The purpose of ‘Living above the Rows’ is to outline the potential challenges and solutions, so that imaginative developers feel empowered to explore these unique opportunities further.”

Tony Barton, former chair of Donald Insall Associates, heritage architect and historic building consultant said:

“Initially investors may think converting a Rows building would be difficult and costly. However, our message is to consider the guide’s case-studies provided as proof that these conversions can be easy, and whether developers are considering micro-apartments for first time buyers, or homes for growing families, that GAS, the OCP and the Council are here to support you. Come and talk to us…”

Richard Beacham, deputy chair of CWaC and leader’s champion for the OCP commented on the holistic approach being adopted to help address heritage, the high-street and housing:

“Post-pandemic it’s evident that our city-centres need a mix of uses. Converting empty space above the Rows could help reverse the current housing shortage and boost economic growth in Chester city-centre. Above the Rows, there is perfectly good space lying empty, when it could be boosting the economy by housing individuals and families. This project will hopefully inspire owners of these buildings to invest in these spaces and help create unique new places for people to live in our city-centre.”

Over the past four years the Rows have also benefited from a central government funded programme of £1.08M for Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) improvements which concluded in May 2024.