York’s Roman Quarter development is up for sale – as owners ‘try and secure delivery’ of the project
One of York’s largest and most controversial developments is now up for sale.
The Roman Quarter, which finally won planning permission at the second attempt last October, is being marketed for sale by property firm Knight Frank and RY Partnership.
Found on Rougier Street, it includes a Roman museum called Eboracum, an 88-room aparthotel, 153 new apartments and office space.
In October, developers North Star and Rougier Street Developments, together with the York Archaeological Trust, received the green light from York planners for the development.
They said the museum would attract 500,000 visitors.
Now though Knight Frank is asking for unconditional offers for the site, which includes Northern House, Rougier House, Lendal arches and Society Bar.
It is described as a “prime development opportunity located in the heart of York”.
The site is offered freehold “with largely vacant possession, save for one lease expiring in 2025”.
Potential purchasers have to get their offers in by 20 April.
A spokesperson for the developers told YorkMix: “Owners of the site, Rougier Street Developments Ltd has decided to offer the opportunity to the market to try and secure delivery of the project and the interest of a partner with the ability to see the site delivered.”
The original proposals for the Roman Quarter were thrown out by councillors in February 2021.
And last August, a council-commissioned report by independent property consultants Stannybrook, concluded the revised scheme was “financially unviable to deliver“.
It said the scheme would make a £28 million loss, and added: “We therefore conclude that the scheme is not viable even with the removal of all planning obligations.”
But the developers said this analysis ignored the fact that they were looking at a long-term period of between 50 and 75 years.
“This project is not being undertaken for short or medium term profit. The project is being undertaken with the long term view of attracting in excess of 800K visitors through its doors each year which will enable the project to be viable in the longer term,” a spokesperson said.