Property company set to acquire Harrogate council offices
A local property group is behind a bid for Harrogate Borough Council’s former offices at Crescent Gardens.
The council confirmed today that it had exchanged contracts on the site with Adam Thorpe Property. It is acquiring the property via wholly-owned subsidiary ATP (Crescent Gardens). ATP will also be developing the surrounding public realm.
The company is planning on turning the building into 14 apartments, an art gallery, restaurant and two retail units.
ATP has predicted that around 45 jobs will be created with the development.
The council is set to move to a new £9m purpose-built Civic Centre on its Knapping Mount site, set to open in September 2017 after a controversial start, with petitioners protesting plans for a new site, arguing that the council should refurbish its Crescent Garden offices instead.
In January 2017, Harrogate Borough Council completed the sale of its Victoria Park House offices in Harrogate to local developer, Hornbeam Park Developments, for £1m for redevelopment into Grade A office accommodation, which could deliver 150 full time jobs on site and 120 jobs during the construction phase.
The council is also progressing the sale of its Scottsdale House offices, which are located on Springfield Avenue in Harrogate.
Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts on our Crescent Gardens offices to a Harrogate based business.
“We received a significant number of bids and felt that as well as being a strong financial offer, ATP (Crescent Gardens) LTD’s proposed use of the building as high quality residential accommodation, art gallery, restaurant and retail units was fitting for the town centre location.
“It is fantastic that we have been able to progress the sale of this iconic building together with other assets ahead of our move to our new civic headquarters later this year.”
Adam Thorpe of Adam Thorpe Property Group commented: “We are delighted to be bringing an exciting scheme to life for Harrogate which will be a flagship outside of London. The restoration of the area with a combination of private residences alongside the Art Gallery and public gardens is a unique opportunity for all involved. Historic and civic values have been very important in our consideration as well as providing a legacy for this area going forwards.”
