Courthouse being transformed into luxury flats
WORK is underway to convert a former magistrates court building into luxury flats.
Property developer Mohammed Khan will transform the former Rawtenstall Magistrates Court building on Oakley Road, with even former cells being transformed into ground floor living space.
Mr Khan’s latest venture will turn the former courthouse, which is in a conservation area, into 11 luxury one-bed, two-bed and three-bed apartments.
Mr Khan, 43, who lives on Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, says the development should be fully finished in the next two years. He said: “We’re into phase two at the moment and we’ve just been working to get the lower levels and steelwork completed.
“The shell should be finished by the end of the year and then we will move on to the interiors and fine detail after.”
Mr Khan says he was first attracted to the building’s historic pedigree and its classic architecture and that these will become signature features of the new apartments.
He plans to retain the court’s coat of arms and for it to be displayed in the building’s new foyer.
He added: “I am also incorporating a lift for ease, and it will be suitable for differing types of clients.
“[It will be aimed at eve- ryone] from young working professionals [to] retired residents wishing to downsize. Prices will vary between £100,000 and £175,000 for higher specification, three-bedroom loft penthouses, overlooking the surround- ing valley and hills.”
The former social worker turned developer says this is his biggest and most ambitious project to date. He acquired the building, which sits next to St Mary’s Chambers on Haslingden Road, in 2013 and plans were approved by Rossendale council the following year.
He added: “It’s in a great location, there will be really grand views of the Valley with good transport links being on the edge of the motorway.”