Are these York’s trendiest homes? Inside the Bonding Warehouse

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Transformed: the Bonding Warehouse. Click to see a bigger image

Eighteen months ago, the only residents were pigeons. Empty and unloved since being inundated by floodwaters in 2000, the Bonding Warehouse looked like it was destined for a slow and painful decline.

But today it is home to two thriving firms – the building’s developer Grantside and US software firm Anaplan – and four of York’s plushest apartments.

Three of these are now owned by Yorkshire people – one as a main home, and two as second home. Bought off plan in spring, one became York’s first £1 million apartment.

Only one remains on the market, after a buyer pulled out a day before exchanging contracts and chose to stay in the South-East.

“They’re just cool,” says Toby Cockcroft, of Croft Residential, who is marketing the property.

“There’s nothing like it in York at the minute. And I don’t think there’s another building that can rival it.”

The Ouse-side apartments ooze luxury. “They’re mega – absolutely fantastic,” Toby said. “Very good spec: smart bathrooms, integrated kitchens.

“Two of the buyers have upgraded their specification to suit their own requirements which they were able to do as they were buying them as the finishing touches were being put onto the properties.”

All have underfloor heating, Sonos sound systems and internet hard wired in.

The remaining apartment, overlooking Clifford’s Tower, occupies the upper two floors of the listed Victorian former customs warehouse.

Toby expects it to be snapped up. He has had more than 300 inquiries from all over the world about the apartments.

And the city’s property market in general remains buoyant, he said.

“The York market is phenomenal at the minute. Anything inside the city walls, and York in general – there’s so much pent-up demand for it.

“It’s bucking the national figures – The Times is reporting that house prices are going down. There’s no sign of that in prime York areas at the minute.”