By now, you’ve probably heard the news (and if you haven’t, where have you been?). In April 2024, after over 200 years of trade, the iconic Cheltenham landmark, Cavendish House, closed down.
The large 14,000 sq foot building, sitting in the heart of Cheltenham’s shopping district, has long been a significant landmark for the community and visitors to the town. With no future plans currently outlined and the building lying dormant, many locals (ourselves included) have wondered about the future of the space.
As a local design and build team, specialising in commercial environments, we would say we’re a pretty creative bunch. Naturally, we couldn’t resist indulging in our ideas, thinking about what we would do if we were handed the reins to this iconic space.
Amuse us..
Our Interior Vision
When we think about Cavendish House, our minds naturally go to offices. With years of experience completing office fit outs in Cheltenham, it’s practically ingrained into our DNA – can you blame us?
Of course, as a significant Cotswolds landmark, preserving the architectural structure is a top priority. It is iconic, after all. Our expertise lies in interior design, where we see an incredible opportunity to infuse modern elements that breathe new life into the space.
We envision a dynamic coworking space. Yes, another one. There’s a reason behind why these types of work environments have started popping up everywhere – they’re in demand as part of the post-pandemic shift to hybrid working. Imagine a large open plan office space, with plenty of natural light pooling in; communal areas and collaborative nooks where local businesses can network, mingle and flourish. A nice ground-floor restaurant wouldn’t go amiss, perfect for satisfying those mid-meeting cravings!
Cavendish House Design Concepts
In our hypothetical design concept for Cavendish House, connectivity reigns. It should come naturally to a building located in the centre of Cheltenham, but the interior design can help encourage it.
Our floor plans feature plenty of focus areas as well as communal spaces, designed for easy interactions and collaboration amongst tenants. Considering the location of the building, plenty of acoustic interior solutions will need to be fed throughout to limit distractions from the town’s centre. As the building is large, we’d filter intuitive wayfinding throughout the design (using this project as inspo) to ensure accessibility for all.
When it comes to the interior scheme, we’ve been exploring ideas that blend modern features with Cheltenham’s rich culture. Let’s not forget the sustainable aspect of it – using eco-friendly solutions throughout, from the materials to the amount of biophilia we would weave into every design decision.
Community Impact
Our future vision of Cavendish House stretches beyond the physical interiors, impacting a positive change in the local community. By generating job opportunities, attracting creative and growing businesses and injecting new energy into the commercial landscape with a coworking hub, we imagine a more vibrant Cheltenham as a whole.
What Will the Future Hold?
Of course, this is all hypothetical. As we eagerly await the future of Cavendish House, we’re excited by the endless possibilities it holds and its potential to leave a lasting impact on Cheltenham’s landscape.
