Developer outlines plans for government building after £1.85m acquisition

A GOVERNMENT building in South Yorkshire is set for a new lease of life after being acquired by a developer in a £1.85m deal.

Empire Property Concepts is to convert Joseph Locke House in Barnsley from offices to residential use early in 2017.

The five-storey property of nearly 45,000 sq ft will continue to provide opportunities for commercial use until the expiry of leases to existing tenants.

Under managing director Paul Rothwell, Doncaster-based Empire has built up a track record of converting offices and refurbishing existing apartments to create new residential opportunities across the region. He added Joseph Locke House to the portfolio by purchasing the building as a partner in Doncaster Property Developments.

Joseph Locke House was built in 1991 as a five storey property plus basement and two car parks with spaces for more than 130 vehicles. Historically the building has housed the Jobcentre and benefits offices and the top two floors and half of the third floor are still occupied by the Department for Work & Pensions, which has a lease until early 2018.

Doncaster-based Barnsdales, who acted for Mapeley in finding a buyer, will be joint agents in marketing the commercial availability of the building. Barnsdales will also manage the property for Empire and Barnsdales FM will provide facilities management services.

Mr Rothwell said: “We bought Joseph Locke House because it is a big, solid building and we think it would have cost us a lot more to build than we paid for it. It’s in good condition and it’s just right for our type of development. The council has approved a scheme for 170 residential units in double quick time.

“The remaining leases expire in early 2018. For now the focus is on securing some short term commercial interest and we will then begin the job of converting it to residential.

“The approach will be similar to that adopted by Empire on other schemes, but on a larger scale. Empire is currently converting about 200 units a year and that figure is increasing all the time as we take on new projects across the region. We are always interested in acquiring redundant office buildings in the Yorkshire region.”

Jason Barnsdale, managing director of Barnsdales, said his company is working with Empire on a number of other projects including the Turf Tavern pub and residential site in Doncaster town centre.

He said: “The Turf Tavern is one of Empire’s smaller ventures with 15 studio rooms and Joseph Locke House is at the other end of the scale. We have a lot of experience in residential and commercial property so these projects are ideal for us.

“We marketed Joseph Locke House nationally and received an excellent response. We knew it would attract strong interest because private rented sector conversions are very popular. We are delighted that it has been sold to a progressive and ambitious local investor and that we will continue to be involved in managing the property, providing the facilities management services and marketing the vacant commercial space.”