A seven-storey condominium, retail and restaurant complex is to be built on the site of the Leopard's Club.

The historic club itself however will remain, with upgraded facilities over two floors and an outdoor terrace for members.

The Development Applications Board (DAB) has granted Planning permission, subject to final approval of building design, parking and landscaping.

Situated on the corner of Brunswick Street and Cedar Avenue, the Leopard's Club has been a popular social club for more than 60 years.

It was founded in February 1949 by Gerald DeShields and four of his friends, as a place where blacks in segregated Bermuda could congregate socially.

The club had several locations before moving into its present address in 1954.

While other black clubs were sports-based, the Leopard's Club set up weekly radio programmes with speakers to discuss the politics and issues of the day. It was therefore instrumental in the development of political ideology among black Bermudians.

The club's current president, Denny Richardson, was unavailable for comment last night. However, it is thought the owners have wanted to redevelop the club since the fire at the Leopard's Plaza accommodation block in January 2007.

Back then, Mr. Richardson told The Royal Gazette: "I would like to knock it down and put a building there. It could be a multi-purpose building with houses, offices and shops. We'd like to go ten storeys."

The development which has been approved consists of 51 condos, five retail units, a restaurant and members' club set over seven storeys.

The 'mid-rise, mixed-use development' will include an underground parking level with space for 54 cars and 83 motorbikes. The ground floor will house retail units, a restaurant, residential lobby and lobby for the Leopard's Club.

On the first floor, the club premises will have a cafe/bar, games room, food service area, library, two multi-function rooms and staff rooms, plus mezzanine restaurant. There will also be space for retail units and a 1,593 square foot 'private outdoor terrace'.

The Leopard's Club will also occupy the second storey, with a main function room, multi-function room, offices and a food service area and bar.

A 5,136 sq ft communal pool terrace will be situated on the third floor. And at street level, agents s.h.y Architecture propose landscaping features such as cedar, white cedar, palm trees plus poinciana.

The DAB report states: "The board expressed some concern regarding the approval of access to the site, due to the potential impact on Cedar Avenue, however, the board resolved to approve the access at the in-principle stage but asked that appropriate design details to mitigate any concerns are provided at the final approval stage, in addition to the overall design and external appearance of the building, the provision of parking, comprehensive landscaping of the site, and the public art."

A separate application, by club owners for a temporary parking lot, has also been approved by Planning officials.

It involves the demolition of an existing building in order to accommodate 57 cars. However, the DAB has only approved the lot for two years, "after which time any application for renewal will be subject to additional scrutiny".

The DAB report says: "The board wishes to see the application site reverted to green space after the two-year period if no further development has commenced on the site and a new application for a renewal has not been filed."