Historic former Express & Star offices to be converted into flats after plans approved
A move to convert the Express & Star's former Wolverhampton offices into new flats has been approved.
The now-empty offices in Queen Street, home to the newspaper for more than 140 years, will be converted into 38 new flats after plans were given the green light by Wolverhampton Council.
The Express & Star's former base was left empty following a move to the city centre’s Mander House in 2023.
A total of 38 one- and two-bed flats have been proposed for the second and third floors of the building alongside a “bar, restaurant, leisure, and event space” as well as a gym and offices.
A statement included with the application said the work would “transform” the former newspaper site, now dubbed ‘The Newspaper Building’.
It said: “This 82,000-square-foot revitalisation will include premium residential apartments, collaborative office spaces, and vibrant social venues, allowing us to create a dynamic community eco-system which supports the city’s growth plans as a hub for business, culture, and community connection.
“The team consists of four Wolverhampton natives, bringing together nearly 60 years of combined expertise in construction, property investment, architecture, and commercial real estate.
“The four of us behind this project have deep roots in Wolverhampton. We grew up here, studied here, and now, we’re here to give something back to the city that shaped us.”
Wolverhampton Council has highlighted the site as having space for up to 145 homes as part of housebuilding plans for the next decade.
The newspaper’s former printworks are also being converted into a beauty salon, barbers and cafe.
