Kingston Road co-living scheme could expand under new plans
The former Bluewater Care Home could be expanded as a co-living scheme under fresh proposals
Plans to expand a shared-living development in a historic Kingston Road building have been submitted to Portsmouth planners.
In December last year, it was reported that Portsmouth City Council had approved plans to convert a former care home into a co-living development with 54 bedrooms.
The building, at 143-147 Kingston Road, was formerly the Bluewater Care Home, which closed in 2023. Before that, it had a varied history dating back to the 1920s.
The original planning application proposed up to 54 furnished bedrooms spread across four storeys, with en-suite bathrooms and kitchenettes.
Each floor would also include shared kitchens and laundry facilities. Several bedrooms would feature balconies overlooking a central enclosed courtyard.
Planning documents stated that the scheme intended to become a “self-contained community” for professionals who desire to be “located in a sustainable part of the city”.
“It is anticipated that occupiers may be sourced from a specialist provider, with a variety of people from similar backgrounds, with similar needs, living together in harmony, whilst still able to maintain their independence – the NHS have expressed an interest.”
Now, planners have submitted proposals to increase the number of bedrooms to 66, which “would be formed within areas behind the shared kitchens that were previously identified as dining areas”.
“These spaces can be more effectively used as bedrooms while retaining suitable shared kitchen and dining provision throughout the building.
“Residents would continue to have access to shared kitchens, large communal spaces at ground-floor level and numerous seating areas and benches distributed throughout the property.
“All residents would also have the option of eating within their own rooms if preferred. The building therefore provides a range of spaces in which residents can eat, relax and socialise, rather than relying upon a single designated dining area.”
“The accommodation would continue to be professionally managed as one shared living facility, with each bedroom restricted to single occupancy.”
Residents can view the plans on the council’s planning portal using the reference 26/01097/VOC.
The building first opened in 1926 as Odd Fellows Hall and became a popular venue for live music, dancing and social events. In the 1960s, it was known for jazz, rhythm and blues and its links to Portsmouth’s early mod scene.
It later became the Hornpipe Arts Centre, hosting cinema, theatre and live performances, before becoming the Regal Palace nightclub in the 1990s.
The nightclub closed around 2000 and the building remained vacant for several years before reopening as Bluewater Care Home in 2014.