Ambitions
These are two adjacent properties that form part of Leighton Buzzard 's historic market town square, and border on a rear courtyard which houses a historic Telephone Exchange.
Both are currently on the market.
HSBC
formerly Midland Bank
asking £550,000
This historic purpose-designed bank sits directly opposite the Market Cross, the heart of the town square. First opened in 1922, this iconic building was designed by the architects Whinney, Son and Austen Hall.
It is a warren of diverse spaces, and even in its current state could play host to studios of varying disciplines, from sound to visual arts, and could also provide space for business incubation and collaboration.
It would be a tangible win for the community were this pillar of the town centre in particular to become an accessible creative hub, and for it to not sit inactive or become a betting shop.
Could be activated immediately with volunteer labour, with capital improvements to be planned on a longer timescale, along with overall redevelopment of the site.
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Ground Floor 141.58 square metres
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First Floor 47.91 square metres
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Second Floor 42.88 square metres
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Basement 45.32 square metres
for a total of 277.69 Square Metres
= £1978.41 per metre square
Dillamore's
& The Telephone Exchange
asking £695,000
This building is comprised of a large shop frontage and two floors above, as well as a covered passage to a rear courtyard. This courtyard backs onto the Land South Of The High Street, a highly prized swathe of land slated for eventual redevelopment.
In the courtyard is a standalone Telephone Exchange building dating to the 1930s, which is currently the meanwhile studio of Guildhall professor and sound artist, Nicole Bettencourt Coehlo.
The courtyard could be leveraged for licensed events in support of the project; the floors above the shop front could provide space for artist residencies and studios as well as other micro SME entities.
Would need extensive renovations, including a new roof - however, the potential for residential development presents an opportunity for revenue.
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Retail Shop (Approx) 150 square metres.
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First Floor Offices (Approx) 151 square metres
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Detached Building to Rear (Approx) 141 Square Metres
for a total of 442 Square Metres
= £1572.40 per metre square
numbers
720 m2
of total interior space
3
adjacent buildings
144m2
approximate area of outdoor parking & courtyard space