Former council offices in a Northumberland market town are to be converted in a housing development that will incorporate both flats and houses.
The Grade II listed Prospect House in Hexham is the former headquarters of Tynedale Council, but has been vacant for a number of years. The building, which dates back to the 19th century, is close to the town’s Old Gaol and Moot Hall.
Now a joint venture between North East company LOK Developments, part of the Morton Group, and Hilltop Credit Partners will see the site turned into 11 apartments, with the addition of five new build homes.
The development has been named Montague Court after the 1st Marquess of Montagu and Earl of Northumberland, a leading partisan in the War of the Roses.
Original plans for the site were amended last December to incorporate a design that is more sympathtic to the building’s existing features and to reduce the number of homes by two.
Kapex Construction, another part of the Morton Group, is carrying out the restoration project.
Chris Nunn, business development director at The Morton Group Chris Nunn said: “This is a landmark building which is viewed with real importance to people living in Hexham.
“We’ve spent a great deal of time changing the look and feel of the building, which was cramped and not well laid out since it was last used as a council building in 2016.
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“With expertise in restoring buildings of this nature, we’ve retained as many of the historic original features as possible, and we’re delighted to be breathing new life into an important building and to restore it to its former glory.
“This is a really nice development, close to the Abbey, Old Gaol and Moot Hall in the heart of Hexham market town, which has fantastic views over the Tyne Valley, with access to residents’ parking.
“We have an excellent track record of delivering sensitive restorations of Listed buildings and have previously converted Middleton Hall in Northumberland and recently restored All Saints Church in Newcastle.
“Hexham has a strong housing market and we’re sure units in this sought-after town will be snapped up when they are released in early 2021.”
The Morton Group is involved in a number of high profile schemes in the North East, including the conversion of a former office block at Regent Centre, in Gosforth, Newcastle, into flats, as well as a housing scheme at the nearby former Sanderson Hospital site.