Briefs: Malvern office building sold for residential; Shropshire architects reach milestone; Wolverhampton pub to go under the hammer
A 7,000 sq ft office building, close to the centre of Great Malvern in Worcestershire, has been sold for residential development in an £800,000 deal.
Acting on behalf of Malvern Hills District Council, Mike Pritchard, commercial negotiator at GJS Dillon, sold Brunel House to Halkin Roberts, a joint venture between Guthrie Roberts and Halkin Development.
The two storey detached office building with 29 car parking spaces is located in a mixed commercial and residential area and was previously occupied by Malvern Hills District Council.
Pritchard said: “Following extremely high interest from all sorts of purchasers, many of which were interested in converting the building to residential or hotel use, we went to final and best offers, easily exceeding the guide price.
“Freehold property of all types is especially sought after by both developers and owner occupiers throughout Malvern.”
Proposed redevelopment of the building is subject to planning approval.
*****
A Bridgnorth-based architects practice is celebrating a major milestone after it was appointed on its 400th project.
Johnson Design Partnership, which employs nine people at its Station Lane headquarters, will complete a major feasibility study for a large church complex in Shrewsbury, with the aim of creating a dynamic venue that can support the activities of a number of community groups.
Vic Johnson, who founded the business in 2003, said: “I’d been involved in large architect practices in London and found that people always went to the capital if they wanted to get the best design talent. Personally, I didn’t feel that needed to be case so decided to do something about it by launching JDP in Shropshire.
“We care about our Shropshire roots so it is almost fitting that the 400 th project would be opening up a large church complex so that it can provide facilities that will support vital community activities. That is the beauty of ‘design’ – it doesn’t just look good, it can create new opportunities and spaces that improve people’s lives.”
*****
A well known pub near Wolverhampton that has been closed for nearly two years and is now earmarked for residential development is to go under the hammer at auction next week.
The former Old Mitre pub at Bursnips Road in Essington is offered as a development site with planning permission for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of nine two bedroomed apartments with associated parking and extra parking available across the road.
It has a guide price of £275,000.
Nick Trow, commercial auction valuer at SDL Auctions Graham Penny, said: “This is a ready-made development opportunity on a site measuring approximately 0.92 acres. It already has planning permission in place, but we believe the property could be suitable for a variety of alternative uses, subject to planning permission.”
SDL Auctions Graham Penny’s Nottingham auction will be held at Nottingham Racecourse on Tuesday 4 September.
