Historic property goes under the hammer
THE former offices of historic printing and publishing firm Kenrick & Jefferson come under the hammer at an auction sale next month.
Astle House, High Street, West Bromwich, is a Grade II Listed Building which dates back to 1883. Extending to a total of 10,000 sq ft, it has a guide price of more than £550,000.
The auction, being staged by Bigwood, takes place at Villa Park’s Holte Suite on March 4.
Bigwood director Ian Tudor said: “The property (Astle House) is currently in need of full refurbishment throughout, but offers a great deal of potential for development for retail or leisure uses”
The current home of Kenrick & Jefferson, which now specialises in envelopes, is in Grafton Road, West Bromwich.
The auction features a number of buildings which illustrate the changing fortunes of the region’s various business sectors.
Private clubs along with other sections of the licensed trade have found life difficult during the recession.
Now, The White House, 11 Dixons Green Road, Dudley, has come on to the market.
With a guide price of £175,000, it comprises club buildings and the headquarters for the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), 621 Dudley Branch.
In similar vein, the former Portland Hotel at 127 Portland Road, Edgbaston, will also be going under the hammer with a guide price of £475,000. It has 12 bedrooms, restaurant and bar.
Many care homes have been hit by new regulations requiring costly improvements to buildings.
The Firs, 31 Springfield Street, Ladywood, is a modern former residential care centre available at £550,000 plus. It is thought suitable to be turned into a religious school or place of worship.
Similarly, the former 19-bed Agnes Sophia Rest Home at 49-51 Benson Road, Winson Green, is on offer at between £275,000 and £300,000.
Fallings Park Family Centre, Helenny Close, Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, is a former children’s nursery. It has a guide price of between £140,000 to £160,000.
At 147-149 Cape Hill, Smethwick, a detached property formerly used as a 20-bed hostel comes in at £325,000.
Other opportunities include Keys Court Business Centre, 82-84 Moseley Street, Birmingham, which has a current income of £48,377 per annum and a guide price of £375,000; a pair of large Grade II Listed interconnected four-bed properties, formerly used as offices, and Beechcroft, 12-14 The Gardens, Fentham Road, Erdington, at £300,000.
Several former garage sites around Wolverhampton and Bilston are also in the sale as is Hernandos Hideaway, Brook Hay Lane, Whittington, Lichfield, a bungalow with three commercial letting units, land which may be suitable for a mobile home and derelict buildings which could possibly be converted into letting units or stables. Guide price £225,000-£250,000.
The auction also includes lots from Birmingham City Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Wolverhampton City Council.
