A long-term Leicester city centre eyesore is set to welcome its first new residents after being converted into student accommodation. The former International Hotel has undergone the work to become what developers say will be a "premium student living hub". The Humberstone Gate building will have 472 student bedrooms, space for 238 bikes, a large gym with yoga and boxing areas.
There will also be a cinema, an events space, private study areas and spaces for group study work courtesy of the work from developer True Student. The site had been an eyesore for several years after the International Hotel closed down in 2009. The former hotel was even boarded up in 2018 after Leicester City Council , with the support of Leicestershire Police , secured a court order following complaints of drug abuse, rough sleeping, vandalism and other anti-social behaviour.
READ MORE: Music store to leave iconic Leicester location amid long-term parking issues The building dates back to 1876 and was once the headquarters of the footwear retailer Freeman, Hardy and Willis. Severely damaged during the Blitz in the Second World War, the site later became the International Hotel but became derelict and an eyesore following their closure. Now redeveloped into student accommodation, developers say the first new occupants are set to move in this summer ahead of the new term at De Montfort University and the University of Leicester .
Ben Morley, managing director of True Student, said: “Leicester is a th.