Property developer sells further part of The Old Fire Station in York

Helmsley Group has sold a further part of its The Old Fire Station development in York.

Standard Life Trustees, which acquired the ground and mezzanine floors of the office element of the mixed-use development last year, has bought the adjoining commercial unit from Helmsley and its joint venture partner on the scheme, London Ebor.

The unit had a guide price of £460k, representing a net initial yield of 6.24 per cent. Reed In Partnership has signed a lease on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), with the unit operating as a driving theory test centre.

Matthew Tootell at Bowcliffe acted for the landlord on the letting to Reed In Partnership and Richard Dunn of Sanderson Weatherall acted for the purchaser. Jonathan Wade of Wade Property Consultants acted for Helmsley and London Ebor on the sale of the unit.

Helmsley and London Ebor initially sold two floors of grade A office space to Standard Life Trustees off a guide price of £1.1m on a 999-year lease last year. This suite is occupied by patent and trademark attorneys, Secerna.

Max Reeves, development director at Helmsley Group, said: “This latest commercial transaction at The Old Fire Station is further evidence that, despite the ongoing uncertainty brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on our working lives, investment and occupational appetite for quality office space continues unabated.

“We have been delighted with the positive impact The Old Fire Station has made to the central York property market and we look forward to 2022 with ongoing confidence.”

As well as providing much needed office space in central York, The Old Fire Station scheme has raised the bar for residential standards, incorporating a total of 14 apartments and townhouses within the setting of the historic former fire station.

“The accommodation offered a perfect solution for the DVSA, providing high quality accommodation with easy access to the city centre.”

Richard Dunn, partner at Sanderson Weatherall, added: “The Old Fire Station continues to provide sound investment opportunities for our client, Standard Life. Despite the likelihood of hybrid working continuing, the dynamics of the York office market remain robust, with demand high.”

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