Work on the first part £2.5m phase of the Crescent project is well under way.  At the rear of the building later additions to the property are being demolished in order to reveal the elegant curve of the original design.  Inside, modern ceilings and partitions are being removed.

Project managers expect the first stage of the work to be completed in April 2013 with the main phase commencing next June. It is anticipated that the  79-bedroom hotel and spa will open its doors in Spring 2015.

During the first phase work will also be carried out on the Pump Room which has shown increasing signs of neglect since it was last used as a temporary arts and crafts gallery.  Two cupolas will be restored and the roof prepared for a stage for outdoor concerts.  The building will be used as an information centre during the project, after which it will become a café where visitors will be able to ‘take the waters’.

“We will be taking a very close look at the roof of the Pump Room to make sure that it will be able to accommodate musicians,” says Trevor Osborne, whose company is undertaking the project along with CP Holdings.

The Crescent will be operated by Danubius Hotels, Europe’s leading spa hotel company. However, other hotels in town will be able to take advantage of the new facilities.

“We have to widen the market - we are not looking to take trade away from existing hotels,” says Trevor. “We want everyone to be able to offer spa packages.”

The Crescent was built in the late 1700s by the 5th Duke of Devonshire as a northern rival to Bath, offering hotels, lodging houses and assembly rooms.

Article contributed by Steve Caddy at Pure Magazine.