A “unique” student accommodation block in Birmingham city centre with challenging fire regulations compliance issues is to appear in Bond Wolfe’s next auction.
The 175-bedroomed property known as Londonderry House, located at 2 Newton Street, will have a guide price* of £695,000+ in the livestreamed auction on Thursday July 9.
Craig Upton, marketing director at Bond Wolfe, said that the bock had been vacant since 2021.
“This is a unique eight-storey block of student accommodation that was constructed on the top of a car park close to of Aston University and Birmingham City University.
“The ground floor has a reception area, office with a kitchen, laundry room, utility rooms for electricity and water, storage rooms and a large, covered car parking area accessed via Dale End. On the eighth floor there is an external entrance off the car park to Floor 9, which has four cluster units, one with six bedrooms, two with five bedrooms and one with four bedrooms.
“On Floors 10 to 16, there are again four cluster units per floor, each of them made up of one with six bedrooms, three with five bedrooms. Each unit has ensuite facilities and a shared kitchen, and each floor also has a studio unit with an open plan bedroom/kitchenette and shower room with toilet.
“This makes a total of 21 bedrooms on Floor 9, and another 154 bedrooms on Floors 10 to 16, making a grand total of 175, with 167 being ensuite, and eight studios, all with electric heating. Each floor has lift and staircase access from the reception area, and there is a communications room on each half landing.
“In addition, the roof area over Floor 16 which houses a lift engine room, generator room and a room containing a water tank.
“In 2001, planning permission was granted for the conversion of an office building to student/NHS keyworker accommodation, and that decision notice is in the legal pack. Then in 2022, planning permission was granted to erect a further three stories to the existing eight storey block which would provide a further 60 units, and the replacement of external cladding to the existing building.
“This planning consent has now lapsed, but this is also in the legal pack. The property has been vacant since 2021 after receiving a notice from the fire authority due to non-compliance with fire regulations.”
Londonderry House is a leasehold property with around 72 years remaining on a 96-year lease from 24 April 2002. It is subject to a peppercorn ground rent.
Craig said: “The lease dated 24 April 2002 contains provisions linked to negotiations for a revised superior lease with Birmingham City Council for a 154-year lease. Although these arrangements were not completed, purchasers may wish to explore further with the freeholder.”
The property will be among scores of lots appearing in Bond Wolfe’s next auction which is due to start at 8.30am on Thursday July 9. The auction will be livestreamed via Bond Wolfe’s website with remote bidding by proxy, telephone or internet.
