Sheffield Old Town Hall: 'Huge interest' ahead of auction of 200-year old historic city landmark
Auctioneers are reporting ‘huge interest’ in the sale of Sheffield’s historic Old Town Hall, ahead of a search for a new buyer this month.
The building is due to go under the hammer on November 25 with a £500,000 expected price tag - but it is expected to cost millions to bring it back to its former glory.
Auctioneers say they have had a huge amount of interest from potential buyers with a vision for the property.
Built in 1808, the Old Town Hall building whose famous clock tower was added 60 years later, also housed Sheffield’s courts until 1997. Since then the property has been unused.
It is Grade II listed but not been used for nearly 30 years and has fallen into a very poor state of disrepair.
Several redevelopment projects have been put forward for the building, most recently in 2019 when planning consent was given for conversion to 12 serviced apartments, shops, cafes and a 12-room hotel.
It is now being auctioned by auctioneers Mark Jenkinson.
Director James Vandenbrook said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the right buyer to acquire, restore and bring back to life what is certainly a landmark historic property in an area of Sheffield that is one of the north of England’s most significant regeneration opportunities.
“The Old Town Hall is an important piece of the regeneration jigsaw in a part of the city that’s rapidly becoming one of most exciting areas of Sheffield and sits within the newly-designated City Centre Conservation Area.
“Needless to say, we have had a huge amount of interest from potential buyers with a vision for the property and it would be brilliant to see this great building fulfill its potential as a cornerstone of a regenerated Castlegate area, which is set to include a park and events space.”
Bidding on the Old Town Hall opens on November 25 and closes the following day.
Full details, viewing and bidding information are available at www.markjenkinson.co.uk.
Current owner Gary Ata paid £600,000 for it four years ago.
He has set a guide price of £500,000, the minimum he is prepared to accept at auction.