LUXURY HOMES AT LONGHIRST HALL
Dere Street Homes have begun work to convert the disused Grade II listed Longhirst Hall just outside Morpeth into 26 luxury homes ranging from two bedroom apartments to a nine bedroom detached home.
Their latest development follows close on the heels of the Durham-based developer’s Hill Top Farm development at Ramside Hall in Durham where sales of the 13 executive homes have already exceeded the most optimistic targets.
Managing Director, Chris Hogan, explained the new development, “Longhirst is a very different project from the new build homes at Hill Top Farm and is actually more like our earlier development at Wolsingham which converted the historic Leazes Hall into four luxury apartments.”
“We’ve been involved at Micklewood Park at Longhirst for over four years converting the Northumbria University buildings into private homes which have all now sold very successfully, so were very familiar with the estate when the hotel closed in March 2014.”
“It’s a fascinating project working within a listed building and the homes will be truly luxurious with the jewel in the crown being a nine bedroom Main House with over 13,000 sq ft of space. There are also four other original historic homes for sale ranging from a five bedroom 7,000 sq ft home to a three bedroom former coach house all designed by John Dobson, the builder of Grey Street. There’s also nine large open plan three bedroom townhouses and we’re planning for 13 two and three bedroom apartments although this is not yet finalised.”
Located two miles north east of Morpeth, the grand country house of Longhirst Hall sits within superbly landscaped gardens and surrounding woodlands. The hall was designed by the famous John Dobson for the Lawson family in 1824 with construction completing in 1828 and remained within the family until being sold to self-made coal-mining magnate, Sir James Joicey, considered one of the richest men in the country, whose family occupied the property until 1936.
The Hall was then sold to Moores Stores owner, Harry Moore, but was requisitioned by the Army during WWII as military accommodation. In 1948, the Moore family sold the property to the Home Office which converted the grand building into an approved school and then a community home for approximately 65 young boys until closing in 1982.
The Hall remained vacant until purchased by private investment company in the early 90’s who completed extensive renovations, combined with a new build management training and conference centre and adjacent accommodation housing some 200 students and let it to Northumbria University. After just 10 years, however, the University decided to relocate due to struggles attracting students to the rural campus.
The Hall then entered a new phase after conversion into a 77 bedroomed hotel, hugely popular as a wedding venue with a 250 person function room in addition to the 23 conference rooms. The Hotel closed in March 2014 with the property remaining empty until Dere Street Homes purchased it earlier this year.
Chris Hogan continued, “We have retained the superb historic features wherever possible and are restoring the property to its original use planned by John Dobson almost 200 years ago. The initial interest in the homes has already been very high and I’m sure prospective buyers will be impressed by the superb internal specification and the historic exteriors in addition to the magnificent setting.”
Potential buyers are invited to register their interest on www.derestreethomes.co.uk