THE former site of Brighton ice skating rink is to be transformed with the development of 65 upmarket apartments.

Supercity Aparthotels, which owns three sites in London, has decided to make its first investment away from the capital.

There will be four storeys plus a new restaurant in the development in Queen’s Square in the city centre.

Managing director Alexis Burton said: “We’re excited to open our first development outside of London.

“It was only right that it be in a UK city that is not only a leading cultural centre but also recognised as one of the UK’s most diverse and liveable cities.

“With major occupiers from the finance and media industries having sizeable presence, it has long been recognised that Brighton’s cosmopolitan corporate arena is growing rapidly, yet currently only six serviced apartments are available in close proximity.

“We aim to fill the growing demand for serviced apartments in the area with our brand new development which is set to open in 2018.”

Ms Burton said the group is keen to grow its business in prime UK markets such as Brighton.

She said:”Brighton was a natural choice for our future and further supports our ambitious plans to grow our presence in leading cities.

“We are very excited to start work on our first venture in the region and look forward to welcoming guests in 2018.

“We are always looking to explore new development opportunities and locations.”

The new aparthotel will house apartments, a gym, restaurant, car and bicycle parking facilities, complimentary wifi, housekeeping service and a team providing a tailored service as standard.

An apartment hotel is a serviced apartment complex that uses a hotel-style booking system.

It is similar to renting an apartment, but with no fixed contracts occupants can check out whenever they wish.

Gavin Stewart, executive director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said he was delighted at the news.

He said: “It’s great to see continued investment in the city’s tourism sector.

“The development doesn’t just signal the arrival of more hotel beds but also an increase in jobs, both during the construction phase and beyond.”

Supercity Aparthotels is also building another aparthotel called The Chronicle in London, two minutes walk from Chancery Lane tube station.

This development will house 53 luxury suites, two floors of offices and an onsite gastro pub.

The company hopes to open the site by the end of this summer.

Ms Burton said: “Acquiring such a prominent site with such an interesting history is very exciting for us.

“The former Jewish Chronicle building is a little piece of journalistic history in the middle of a booming business district.”

Two of the company’s three existing sites - Templeton Place and Nevern Place - are located in Earls Court, London, while The Rosebery is in the heart of Clerkenwell, also in the capital.