Landmark York office block to be transformed into luxury flats

Landmark office block Ryedale House is to be turned into luxury apartments.

Residential developer Newby bought the empty office building on Piccadilly, York, on Monday (December 18).

It plans to create 77 flats inside the seven storey block – some of which will have ‘spectacular’ views of York Minster.

Extremely attractive location

A City of York Council report about the redevelopment of the Castle Gateway area described Ryedale House as a ‘low quality site’.

But it will be low quality no more after Newby have finished their work, says co-founder Nick Moody.

“We are delighted to purchase Ryedale House which is a landmark building that needs to be revitalised and is ideal for residential conversion,” he said.

“Not only does it help to fulfil the current deficit of housing in York city centre but it also offers an extremely attractive location, right on the banks of the River Foss with spectacular views of York Minister.”

‘Fantastic for York’

Savills Leeds acted for owners Steamrock Capital on the sale of Ryedale House, which went to Newby following a competitive marketing process.

“The conversion and re-development of Ryedale House to high quality apartments is fantastic news for York and will play a big part in the evolution of the Castlegate/ Piccadilly area,” said Savills development director Matthew Jones.

Steamrock director Dan Neary added: “We still have significant property interests in this area and are looking forward to seeing the improvement and regeneration of this part of York.”

Founded in Ripon in 2008, Newby is no stranger to York. This year purchased Cocoa Works, the former Nestle factory on Haxby Road for residential conversion.

And in 2016 Newby converted former offices at Castle Chambers on Clifford Street into contemporary apartments.

It hopes to start work on Ryedale House in early 2018.

Empty for years

Ryedale House was once home to the North Yorkshire Health Authority but has been empty for years

It was bought in 2008 by property company LaSalle for £4.59 million, but it went into administration in 2014, when it was acquired by Steamrock Capital

The building, which is within the Castle Gateway regeneration area, already has planning permission to be converted for residential use

The news comes as Stonebow House, another commercial building considered an eyesore by many, is transformed into luxury flats