Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Uni mansion with hotel potential put on market for £3m
Enterprise centre ‘surplus to requirements’
An imposing Victorian property has come onto the market in Canterbury, with potential to become a boutique hotel or care home, say estate agents. Hall Place, which stands in a commanding position off the Harbledown by-pass on the main route into the city, is being sold by Canterbury Christ Church University for offers “in excess of £3 million”. Extended over the years, the university has used the building and site as an enterprise centre, but the facility is now said to be surplus to its requirements. A spokesman said: “The sale of Hall Place is part of the university’s Estate Master Plan. “The acquisition of the former prison site in 2014 enabled the university to consolidate its estate within Canterbury, release buildings across the city, and develop a campus which will be flexible, sustainable and have the ability to support future teaching and research
and deliver a first-class student and staff experience. “The teaching and services that were held at Hall Place, including education, health, conferencing and events, and external bookings, have now been moved and accommodated on the North Holmes Road campus.
Agent Strutt and Parker says its use could be changed or the site redeveloped, subject to planning permission.
It says: “The original property was constructed circa 1850 and has since been extended over time to offer 27,000 sq ft of business space.
“It has been extensively extended to the rear to offer seminar rooms, offices and a food court and there is a substantial amount of car parking set over several levels.
“We believe there is potential for the property to be redeveloped into residential use, a boutique hotel, a care facility or a variety of other uses subject to the necessary planning consent. “Purchasers should take independent advice if they are considering a change of use.” Another significant property investment opportunity has also come onto the market, with the freehold sale of three separate, purpose-built blocks of flats for a guide price of £7.5 million. Together they accommodate 52 tenanted one and two-bedroomed apartments in buildings called Burgate Studios in Burgate Lane, Victoria Court in Station Road West and Thomas Court in London Road. Strutt and Parker says they are “set within conservation areas in desirable positions”.