"Eyesore" York office block gets residential conversion

A MAJOR 30,000 sq ft office block – dubbed one of York’s worst eyesores – has successfully been redeveloped into a residential site.

‘The Walk’ the Holgate Road site is a joint development between Caddick Group and the Villas Venture, co-ordinated by Helmsley Securities Ltd.

All 50 flats were sold within 6 months of completion.

The former office block contains 50 one and two bedroom apartments. They consist of self contained units and studios, some with Juliette balconies.

Helmsley Securities Ltd has been behind high profile York developments including Merchant Exchange apartments and Westgate apartments on the banks of the River Ouse, Dixons Yard on Fossgate and Lendal Tower.

All the apartments at The Walk formerly Holgate villas, one of York’s worst eyesores have literally walked out of the door with all 50 sold or under offer since Practical completion of the development in spring this year.

John Reeves for the development consortium said: ‘’Obviously we are very pleased as this former 60’s eyesore of a building is now something York can be proud of architecturally and it has provided 50 dwellings, which started at very affordable prices, in a highly sustainable location many of which have been purchased using help to buy by locals as starter homes.

“Frankly we could not as a developer and as someone who cares about York and the housing issues we have here have asked for more.

“It is our intention to keep plugging away and try to deliver homes our local community cvan afford both to buy and rent hence the progress we are making at Halo Clifton moor and other schemes in the same area where apartments are coming shortly to the market from £120,000.”