Ipswich: Iconic building to be given bold new look

Electric House in Lloyds Avenue, Ipswich, is set for a major facelift. Archant

PLANS to refurbish a prominent Ipswich landmark and clad it with illuminated glass panels look set to be approved.

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Electric House could be given a major facelift if planning officials agree with the bold new proposals at a meeting next week.

Owners Corindale Properties Ltd wants to convert the site, in Crown Street, into a mixed-use property with 13 flats and retail space on the ground floor and basement.

The plans have been submitted by local architects Barefoot & Gilles, which hopes to have a decision from the planning and development committee when it meets on Wednesday.

A statement submitted with the application says: “Not only will the glazed cladding system offer a more unified and attractive appearance when viewing the building from the east, it also offers opportunities to provide an interesting and modern element that contrasts with the period style of the existing building. This element will provide the building with a new external stamp that reflects the ‘modern’ internal alterations.

“The proposed glazing will add further interest to the building through the possibility of using light fittings behind the sandblasted glass. These fittings can illuminate the entire glazed element providing a visually striking feature.”

The proposals include a roof terrace and would see the first, second and third floors will be stripped back to the bare structure and each floor reconfigured to create individual residential units. Electric House is not listed and is not in a conservation area. In late 2010 the owners were given permission to replace the existing building with a new structure, offering a “more flexible” floor plan.

The new plans supersede those proposals, which were approved by the Borough.

Formerly home to Orwell Radio and Ashton Graham solicitors, the main structure has largely stood empty. The retail space was most recently filled by the Futon Company, which recently shut up shop.