About the Arena
The Arena
The Arena Apartments is a premium city centre residential development. Arranged over 9 floors, the development comprises a total of 97 stylish homes in an excellent array of sizes. These range from well-proportioned studios, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments up to spacious duplex penthouses on the upper floors.
The design of the Arena Apartments draws on influences from the surrounding architecture. The north and west sides have white render echoing The Park. The east frontage is red brick, reflecting the city-side buildings.
Providing an exciting visual experience at every level, with its elevated position on Royal Standard Place, most of the Arena Apartments have balconies or terraces with excellent views of Nottingham castle and the city. There is a high ratio of car parking with several apartments having more than 1 space. The exceptional facilities include a concierge service and guest suites for friends and family to stay.
The site has no passing traffic or highway, ensuring a very quiet and pleasant environment.
Features
The Arena Apartments has some unique features.
The Arena Apartment owners share the freehold:
-
64 apartments have a share of the freehold of the Arena Apartments,
-
51 apartments have 999 year leases extended from the original 125 year lease
-
The apartments are run by the Arena Residents Association Ltd (ARAL) – the members are those owners who have a share of the freehold.
Focus on investing in improvements, whilst keeping service charges reasonable
-
Many improvements have been made including improved security, recycling introduced, water softening, refurbished reception and guest suites
-
Unlike many residential blocks the Arena has a healthy sinking fund for future major expenditure, which means that additional charges over and above the standard annual charges are rare.
Concierge services – Mon to Sat – includes parcel delivery, guest suite booking, car parking, day-to-day help and maintenance, with help for new residents on settling in and assisting agents on viewing. Temporary car parking can be arranged for visitors, when available, for a small fee.
Reception area is the focal point for meeting agents and parcel delivery.
Two guest suites each comprising double bedroom and en-suite bathroom, which residents can book for family and friends
Secure free bike storage
Secure electric gated ‘underground’ car parking with security entry on all internal doors from the car parks to the apartments.
Top-level security with colour CCTV covers the gated car parks and main entrances with a trackable pedestrian entry system to all doors.
Central water softener system to help reduce the build up of lime-scale on water fittings.
Recycling for main household recyclables, clothing, batteries and printer cartridges.
Facilities
The apartments benefit from a high build quality with low maintenance requirements. There is excellent insulation and high quality metal windows and doors. In addition to the superior fittings:
-
All apartments have a fire alarm and security alarm, with video intercom for access. All residents have access fobs.
-
Digital TV, Sky and radio, with option for Sky+
-
Royal Mail post delivered direct to door
History
History of the Arena and its Surroundings
The Arena apartments is situated on the historic Standard Hill, Nottingham, where King Charles I famously raised his standard at the beginning of the Civil War in 1642. The plaque can be seen from the apartments at the south end.
The site of the Arena is where Nottingham’s General Hospital stood, demolished in 2002. You can still see the original building in The Arena, built in the late 18th century, following a bequest from Banker John Keys. It relied on private donations and public subscription. The Duke of Newcastle and the Nottingham Corporation each gave an acre of land.
This hospital building connects to a circular building known as the Rotunda (now housing the Roundhouse pub) which was previously the Jubilee Wing – a ward block built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s jubilee and opened in 1902.
This building was designed by Alfred Waterhouse (also responsible for the old Prudential Building on King/Queen Street). The hospital was home to numerous injured soldiers during the First World War (right).In 1972 the huge 9 storey Trent Wing was build
4 of 5 behind the Rotunda (see photo above left) on what is now the Arena open space.
The General Hospital became a very well known and respected facility until 1992 when the majority of services transferred to the Queen’s Medical Centre. The site had literally run out of space.
Adjacent to the Arena is Royal Standard House, designed by Frederick Evans & Sons of Highbury Vale and was originally the Nurses' Home. It was built by public subscription and opened by the Prince of Wales in 1923. Built of high quality brick, limestone and Westmorland slate it was originally named Memorial House as a memorial to those who gave their lives in the First World War.
Regeneration of the Area
In 1990 a master plan for the site was produced in consultation with the City Council and designs were drawn up by local architects, Crampin & Pring. Crosby Homes acquired part of the site for conversion to residential buildings. Memorial House was converted into apartments in 1999. City Point, next to Royal Standard House was subsequently built on the site of an old ward block in 2000 on a cliff-top position looking over The Park. Finally after much debate and consultation about building heights and the preservation of views around the Castle, the Arena apartments were completed in 2003.
Hart’s Restaurant is in the old A&E and Hart’s Hotel stands on the site of Broxtowe House, a Regency house which was used as accommodation for resident doctors. The Jubilee Wing was turned into a restaurant in 1997 and is now The Roundhouse.
Gallery
Arena Plan
Location
The Arena Apartments are located in one of the most historic areas of Nottingham - part of the Castle conservation area.
Ideally situated in a very quiet residential part of the city centre, the complex is just a few minutes walk from the Old Market Square at the heart of Nottingham, and is only 5-10 minutes walk from the Victoria and Broadmarsh shopping centres, The Playhouse, Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Royal, Multiplex Cinema and numerous restaurants.
All key transport links are 5-10 minutes walk away including the tram, bus stations and train station. East Midlands airport is only 30 minutes away by car. The Skylink bus stop for the airport is on the way to the Old Market Square.