Striking images show how the former St Patrick’s Catholic Centre in Huddersfield town centre could look if plans for a new 60-room hotel are approved.
Valora Estates hopes to transform the once-popular club on Trinity Street into the ‘OCTA Hub’, named after the distinctive octagonal feature forming part of the property.
According to a supporting Design and Access Statement prepared by Jade3 Architecture, the hub would be “far more than a traditional building conversion”, instead becoming a “destination” combining a food hall, 60-room boutique hotel, rooftop sky restaurant, event spaces, café and public terraces.
New glazed shopfronts would be installed at ground level, giving passers-by a view into the food court. Hotel accommodation would be provided on the upper floors.
Above the hotel would be the sky restaurant, alongside external terraces offering panoramic views across Huddersfield.
A scenic lift would also be constructed on the outside of the building, taking visitors from the ground-floor arrival space to the upper hospitality areas.
Plans include two additional floors and rooftop restaurant
To make way for the development, the centre’s existing pitched roof would be removed and two new floors added.
The current mezzanine floor would be partly extended to create space for additional hotel bedrooms.
Four car parking spaces are also proposed, including one accessible bay. The application highlights the property’s close proximity to public transport links and its town centre location.
The Design and Access Statement concludes: “The design vision is to establish a landmark hospitality destination that contributes positively to the economic, social and cultural life of Huddersfield. By encouraging increased footfall, supporting local businesses, creating employment opportunities and introducing new leisure experiences, the development has the potential to become an important catalyst for wider town centre investment and confidence.
“The resulting scheme delivers a balanced combination of heritage retention, architectural enhancement, commercial sustainability and placemaking. It represents a bold yet sensitive proposal that will secure the long-term future of the building whilst creating a distinctive destination that can be enjoyed by residents, visitors and future generations alike.”
Two public comments have been submitted since the application was put forward last month, including one from Huddersfield Civic Society, which has written in support of the proposals.
The society said: “We would like to congratulate Jade3 Architecture for what initially appears to be a well thought out, and attractive design. We are all aware of the existing lack of hotel accommodation within the town centre, and this application makes great use of a well recognised building lying sadly empty at the moment.”
The former St Patrick’s Centre was historically at the heart of Huddersfield’s Catholic community, serving as a community centre before being used more recently as a social club, dance studio and venue.
In 2023, the club closed due to financial struggles and was ultimately repossessed by its owner, the Diocese of Leeds.
Plans were previously submitted by Reformed Baptist church Hope Church to transform the centre into a new place of worship, but these were not progressed despite securing council approval.
Due to the building being vacant for an “extended period”, the current application argues that there is a risk of it falling into “further disrepair” and becoming a “long-term liability” if action is not taken soon.
A council decision on the plans is due by 20 January 2027.
