Lace Market estate up for sale for £4m as property firm heads in new direction

After more than 40 years of working on restoring Nottingham’s Lace Market heritage, developer Spenbeck is selling its 46,000 sq ft commercial properties.

These properties, including the Birkin Building and 35-37 St Mary’s Gate, are now up for sale through property agent Innes England.

Founders, Mich and Don Stevenson established Spenbeck back in 1981 and presently, second-generation co-owners Becky Valentine and Victoria Green are at the helm of Spenbeck, continuing the mission of preserving and revitalising the historic Lace Market structures.

This entire portfolio is available for purchase with a starting price of over £4m or as individual smaller parcels.

Mich Stevenson is well-known for “saving The Lace Market” after he championed the area back in the 1990s – and was awarded an OBE for his heritage work over the past 40 years. Second generation co-owners Becky Valentine and Victoria Green took up the mantle to head up Spenbeck, now with sustainability and interior design at its core.

Becky Valentine said: “We are immensely proud that Spenbeck and the Stevenson family will forever be synonymous with the long-term regeneration of The Lace Market and our significant contribution to the cultural, social, historic, and economic heritage of the city of Nottingham. While both generations of Spenbeck recognise that the sale will inevitably be a huge emotional wrench, we are all excited about our new direction.

Green said: “Having put our own stamp on Spenbeck for the last 12 years, it was always our intention to move into new areas.  Our experience at Spenbeck reinforced our desire to share our passions and wealth of expertise in heritage buildings, sustainability, building health and interior design to support companies as they navigate increasing demands created by current ESG requirements.’’

“We are excited to be scaling up what we have done over the last 40 years, investing significant time and finance to support a wider audience across the public and private sectors.”

Valentine added: “It has been a privilege to have been the custodians of these incredible buildings, yet it was never our intention to keep them forever. Working with our stakeholders over the past four decades has been an honour and we would like to thank everyone for their support and efforts with our multi-award-winning achievements. We now look forward to working with them in delivering Spenbeck’s consultancy services.”

“It has been a privilege to have been the custodians of these incredible buildings, yet it was never our intention to keep them forever. Working with our stakeholders over the past four decades has been an honour and we would like to thank everyone for their support and efforts with our multi-award-winning achievements. We now look forward to working with them in delivering Spenbeck’s consultancy services.”

Innes England director Ross Whiting said: “It’s an emotional time for Victoria and Becky to dispose of these substantial and elegant buildings, however, this is a great and rare opportunity for a buyer to acquire a notable portfolio within the heart of The Lace Market, as an investment, for owner occupation or potentially for an alternative use.”