A five-storey apartment complex has been approved on the outskirts of Hamilton.

'Crow Lane Lofts' will consist of eight condos set over four storeys, a ground commercial level and a basement parking level accessible by a vehicle lift.

A new concept to Bermuda, motorists will drive into the lift from Crow Lane and access the underground levels, thus eliminating the need for ramps.

The development will be built on a car park between the East Broadway Shell Service Station and Hamma Galleries, on East Broadway.

Although the building will be five storeys high, only one floor will be visible when viewed from the Cavendish Road side, due to the retaining wall along Crow Lane.

The Development Applications Board (DAB) granted planning permission, subject to vehicles being restricted to a 'left turn only' onto Crow Lane.

The design has also had to be changed, due to Bermudian aesthetic reasons, according to developer Rammy Smith. Originally it was to include a Longtail-themed 'winged roof'.

"It was changed because it wasn't in keeping with the Bermuda architecture," said Mr. Smith.

He said the ground floor may include a restaurant, and that public artworks will sit alongside al fresco dining. There will also be a rooftop garden.

'Crow Lane Lofts' has been designed by architectural graduate Warren Green of Entasis Architecture. The development will be built by Catcon Construction.

It includes grey and potable water tanks along the sustainable principles by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building system.

Mr. Smith said yesterday: "I applaud the DAB and Department of Planning for approving such a scheme because the population is crying out for residential units close to, or in, the City of Hamilton."