The building is being redeveloped to include student accommodation and restaurant space
Work to demolish a Cambridge restaurant and build new student accommodation with restaurant space has begun. The plans by Downing College will see a city centre site next to Parker’s Piece redeveloped into 26 student rooms with restaurant space.
Several buildings located at 19-35 Regent Street will be demolished to some extent. These include the former Cuba Libre restaurant and bar.
Downing College Developments Ltd submitted plans to redevelop the buildings on Regent Street. These were approved by Cambridge City Council in September 2024.
CMP Architects, who designed the project, said that the site was “occupied by poorly maintained buildings, which had been heavily and incoherently manipulated over the years”.
The planned layout will see a retail unit on the ground floor. The project seeks to introduce a restaurant space that serves both residents and visitors.
Student accommodation above the retail unit will include a total of 26 en-suites.
A council officer said the development would see a “modest reduction” in market housing but would provide more “much needed” student accommodation.
A spokesperson from Demcom Demolition, who are currently working on the site, said: “All of it is being demolished by hand, and all of the bricks are being kept because we are going to reuse them.”
He said that the team is doing ‘enabling’ work in the inside before scaffolding can be erected.