Calico Curves

This week’s top property is our Unique Architecture element. We just couldn’t resist headlining this unusual design. Very much a one off. It is towards the high end of a financial spectrum that we cover. But we do endeavour to cater for folk from £10,000 to £10 million on this website.

Before we detail the estate agent’s description, we would highly recommend you click on the weblink below and have a look at the wonderful curvy plan drawings for this unique building. They are just awesome. Perhaps it is the crew here at Unique Property Bulletin, but the client and architect who drew these plans and then created this amazing home deserve an award.

Agency Narrative: A luxurious and highly individual home with striking curved architectural themes situated on an elevated position in Brudenell Avenue near Sandbanks with views across Poole Harbour. This stunning home is one of two in a development sure to be one of the most desirable in the area, every design detail has been considered to create a beautiful, unique and contemporary living space across four floors.

Agency Summary:-

Brand New Architecturally Designed Home

Unique & Contemporary Living Space Across Four Floors

Elevated Position near Sandbanks, Dorset

Four Bedroom Suites

Passenger Lift To All Floors

Garden Room & Landscaped Grounds

Garage & Secure Parking

Sandbanks and the surrounding area…

Poole Harbour, Sandbanks and the surrounding area offers one of the best places to live in the country.

The beautiful beaches are only a short walk away while the open sea offers some of the best sailing and coastline right on your doorstep.

Internationally acknowledged, Sandbanks boasts the largest natural harbour in Europe (the second largest natural harbour in the world) with miles of golden sand and sheltered waters. It is perfect for either learning the latest water sport or simply lazing on the beach in the sun.

A number of championship standard golf courses are also within easy reach and further leisure facilities include private health clubs and a cosmopolitan mix of bars bistros and boutiques in the surrounding area.

Approximately 2 hours from London by road or train and with national and international links at the nearby Bournemouth International Airport, Sandbanks is the ideal retreat for those looking to escape the pressures of city life.

Location: Calico, Brudenell Avenue, Canford Cliffs, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7NW.

Tenure: Freehold.

Guide: £2,695,000

Contact Tailor Made Agencies Tel: 01202 706 006. Please can readers help the Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the estate agent/owner know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.

Online Brochure ….

http://www.tailormadeestateagency.co.uk/Property.aspx?pid=2392881

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Magnificent Church

This is a very impressive detached church for sale at Grangetown, Cardiff. Approximately 5,706 square feet of building set in around 0.357 of an acre. One of our Unique Property Bulletin members recently bid at auction on a similar size of church to this, and that had the benefit of planning consent for conversion to 4 dwellings. This possibly shows the potential for the fine structure photographed above. St Paul’s Church, Grangetown doesn’t yet have any planning permission, but if someone were so minded, they could either seek a change of use to transform a wonderful building into one very large home, or given the 5,700 square feet to play with, consider building four or five flats within the structure. If managed judiciously, the last flat would be the surplus of the endeavour, and you might end up with a lovely home and no mortgage as the fruit of your labours.

Agency Narrative: Built in 1889, a very substantial structure constructed of natural and reconstituted stone. The Listing describes it as designed in the geometrical decorated style and it is unique because of its decorative dressings and banding of pink sandstone and an early form of reconstituted stone comprising Portland cement with pink pebble aggregate. Both the interior and exterior of the church feature highly decorative elements, including stained glass windows.

Prospective purchasers should note that whilst the church is still used it is too big for the regular worship that is held and thus the property is offered for the first time in its history. Inspection will reveal that the property is in need of repair and the vendors can make available specialist reports if required.

The property was Grade II Listed in May 1975 (amended November 1997).

Location: St Paul’s Church, Paget Street, Grangetown, Cardiff, CF11 7LR.

Tenure: Freehold and vacant possession. The neighbouring church hall is not included in this sale.

Guide: £300,000.

Contact Cooke & Arkwright Agencies Tel: 02920 346 372 Kate Simpson, or 02920 346 376 Ben Bolton. Please can readers help Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the estate agent/owner know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.

Online Brochure ….

http://www.propertypilot.co.uk/cgi-bin/db2www.exe/182details.d2w/report?pp_link=182%2B100002731#TOP

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Unique Property Competition

The popularity of our last competition was the best yet. Over 26 correct entries. Many more came close with good educated guesses. So with the competition element of the Unique Property Bulletin being popular, we are making it a permanent feature. The prize fund has taken a whack after this week’s winner. However, we will have a monthly competition and endeavour to include an interesting prize. The value will vary depending on how flush the Bulletin reserves are and how many books we have sold ! So for this week, we have a curious prize. It is an old pound note. The sort of thing that, back in the day was real pocket money, not a little brass coin we have nowadays! Anyone under 35 years of age possibly hasn’t seen one of these real pound notes, let alone utilsed them. Now you may be able to empathise how the older generation here feel about you young geniuses and working the internet at the speed of light. We confess – our comfort zone is old money and the anology to old money and old computers illustrates what the poor old souls here at Unique Property Bulletin are wrestling with each week in the form of HTML, SEOs Alogrythms etc. We are more used to a Spectrum ZX Computer or possibly a prehistoic Amstrad Word Processor ! How on earth we got to the business end of working a website like this Bulletin is nothing short of miraculous. Anyways, here is our sentimental prize for the November 2013 competition …

Memories ! = The November Prize = Just for Fun

It may well be a stretch to say this is ‘lucky’pound note. But if you are like us and are minded that way, then frame the thing and pop it onto your desk. We were given a similar vintage ten shilling note by a very dear friend many years ago, and it has brought an extraordinary amount of good luck. So who knows – the above may bring you twice as much luck. Two ten bob notes add up to an old pound. Anyway, just for fun here is the clue…

Competition Hint – Recent Nuclear Postcode ?

Free to enter. Just let us know your guess of what you think the above Competition Hint refers to? Please email your entry to us by 30th November 2013. You may need to check out a previous edition or other elements of the Unique Property Bulletin to understand the clue a little better.

Please email free entries to:-

Unique Property Bulletin Competition Entry Contact Page

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Killantringan Lighthouses

Keepers’ Buildings – Lighthouse Tower NOT Included

This is a very interesting set of buildings. Added to which is an almost equally interesting price reduction. There are various options for this lighthouse complex. A spectacular home*, plus a holiday letting cottage. At the current guide price, this wonderful set of buildings represents good value for money.

Agency Description: Killantringan Light Keeper’s House and Lighthouse Cottage enjoy a wonderful setting beside a decommissioned lighthouse and are perched high on the cliff with unlimited views of the dramatic coastline and out to sea. The dramatic scenery is home to a rich company of flora and fauna, with many unusual species including pine martens, golden eagle, red deer, red squirrels and natter jack toad.

The accommodation in the Light Keepers House is spread over two floors with the living rooms on the first floor to take advantage of the spectacular views. This includes an open plan sitting room/dining, study and kitchen. The sitting room gives access to the southern and northern terraces. The ground floor comprises two bedrooms with en suite shower rooms, four further bedrooms and a bathroom. The Lighthouse Cottage is a detached single storey cottage located beside the Light Keepers House and has three bedrooms and one public room.

The grounds extend to approximately 3 acres and includes a grassed area which leads from the Lighthouse down to the Fog Horn and steeper land which slopes down to a high water mark. To the north is a large parking area.

The village of Portpatrick, 4 miles, is on the south western tip of mainland Scotland and benefits from a pleasant climate as a result of the Gulf Stream. The village is predominantly wrapped around its harbour and caters for everyday needs and requirements with a general store, post office, the popular Knockinaam Lodge Hotel and various pubs and restaurants.

The town of Stranraer is 9 miles distant and offers a range of retail, cultural and professional services. There is a local primary school in Portpatrick and secondary schooling is available in Stranraer.

* Subject to any change of use planning permission. Readers should clarify the current class use orders which apply to each part. Some times it is necessary to apply for a change of use from “holiday accommodation” to “residential accommodation”. It is important that folk should ensure they have all due diligence aspects covered.

The current owners have a very professional website with more information …

http://www.killantringanlighthouse.co.uk/

There is also an excellent dynamic 360 degree interior view-around facility at …

http://www.killantringanlighthouse .co.uk/lighthouse-tour/TourWeaver_main.html

and …

http://www.killantringanlighthouse.co.uk/lighthouse-cottage-tour/TourWeaver_cottage.html

[The 360 degree weblink might not work on some devices, but should be OK on a PC]

Location: Killantringan Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages, Portpatrick, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 8TW.

Tenure: Feuhold [Scottish Freehold Equivalent]

Guide: Offers Over £650,000.

Online Brochure:

http://www.gapinthemarket.com/propertyshop/property_particulars.asp?propertyID=2578&town=Portpatrick

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Student Mechanics

This handsome building has, above the main entrance the stonework inscription: “Mechanics Institute” written thereon. The property was built around 1868. It now has planning permission for a 37 to 39 student bedroom halls of residence style change of use. There is a very interesting planning dialogue to study and learn from, even if you aren’t bidding on this building…

Main Planning Application & Location Map

& …

Application – Summary of Documents

Along With Plan Drawings …

Summary List of Plan Drawings

The earlier price of £450,000 …

http://www.millermetcalfe.co.uk/property-commercial.php?p=406

… has now been guided at between £325,000 and £350,000 which is less than £10,000 a bedroom.

The reason we have included this former Mechanics Institute within the Bulletin, is firstly it is unique, and secondly it may suit someone looking to buy a place where they can have an apartment to live in, and a useful source of income from the rest of the building so as to enjoy an unusual lifestyle beyond the bounds of this property and which best reflects their needs.

Auctioneer’s Narrative: This period town centre building was originally the Mechanics Institute of 1868, and more recently used as a fitness club. But is suitable for use as an office building. An application for a change of use to provide student accommodation for the rapidly expanding Bolton University has also been submitted and is expected to be approved imminently. The building comprises three floors and a basement and has recently undergone a refurbishment programme and many of the building’s unique and original features have been retained.

Approximately 12,000 glorious square feet of room to play with. Architect Heaven.

Location: Mechanics Institute, 30 Mawdsley Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1 1LF

Tenure: Freehold.

Guide: £325,000. FTSAA – Failed To Sell At Auction 16th October 2013. Formerly Lot 60. Now guided post-auction at £325,000 – £350,000.

Contact Pugh Auctioneers Tel: 08442 722444. Please can you help Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the auctioneer know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.

Online Brochure ….

http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Manchester/20131016/060

Previously….

http://www.millermetcalfe.co.uk/property-commercial.php?p=406

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Nuclear Bunker Offers In By Date

This just in – the owner of the Underground Nuclear Bunker – ROC / UKWMO Post has asked if anyone who has an interest in the property ….

http://uniquepropertybulletin.org/for-sale-ukwmo-roc-station-ticehurst/

… kindly email their best offer to him on or before 10th November 2013. Thankyou.

The owner of UKWMO Ticehurst – Matthew – can be contacted at….

bramallmatthew[at]hotmail.com

Please replace “[at]” with “@” to help avoid spam robots hoovering up emails.

If readers have any technical problems contacting Matthew, they are welcome to use our own web contact page as a conduit….

http://uniquepropertybulletin.org/contact/

No prices or offers to the Unique Property Bulletin via this secondary protocol please. Just your email and perhaps a phone number, and we shall pass that onto Matthew for him to discuss offers etc., with you directly.

Very best wishes.

Unique Property Bulletin Team.

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Hayling Island Gem

This house is situated within a community on Hayling Island on the South Coast. Access is via Langstone Bridge. For the location and type of property, along with ownership rights of part of the foreshore, the price is very economical.

Agency Narrative: This modern show house standard property has been lovingly maintained but the current owners to make the most of its stunning waterside location and designed with versatility in mind. The beautifully matured gardens and grounds lead you down to private access to Chichester Harbour and estuary directly onto the foreshore, providing access to two moorings, a jetty, beach and pontoon.

The house has substantial proportions making it an easy space to live in with plenty of room for family life or entertaining. The upper floor has separate entrances from either a large rear terrace or its own front door, the accommodation therefore can only be described as versatile. The emphasis is on leisure activities with an indoor swimming pool, separate gymnasium and a log cabin (ideal for growing teenagers) and a sun room/morning room within the grounds, providing privacy for every member of the family. From the primary rooms on the ground floor there are views down the garden and from the first floor towards the harbour.

We understand that the harbour entrance can be reached within a matter of minutes and that Harcourt is one of a handful of properties with ownership of the foreshore. The accommodation comprises; hallway, kitchen, drawing room, two bedrooms, one currently arranged as study/home office and bathroom on the ground floor with four further bedrooms, study area, roof top terrace and family bathroom on the first floor. Having a garage providing direct access to the rear garden early internal viewing is strongly recommended to appreciate both the accommodation and location on offer.

Agency Summary:-

Water Frontage Location with Ownership of Foreshore.

Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

Separate Fully Equipped Gymnasium (former Boat House).

Views Over Chichester Harbour & Estuary .

Detached Home providing Versatile Accommodation.

Five Bedrooms & Two Bathrooms.

Two Reception Rooms.

Fitted Kitchen / Breakfast Room.

One Owner Since 1976.

No Forward Chain.

Location: Eastoke Avenue, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO11 9QP

Tenure: Freehold.

Guide: £875,000.

Contact Fine & Country Agencies Tel: 023 93 277277. Please can readers help the Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the estate agent/owner know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.

Online Brochure ….

http://www.fineandcountry.co.uk/search/hayling-island/5-bedroom-detached-for-sale-in-hayling-island/full_details_fandc/50018752

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Tales From The Riverbank

There can be very few reader who remember Tales From The Riverbank. However, if any nostalgists do recall that 1960s programme, this Riverbank Mill might just be front and centre of a Hammy Hamster episode.

Agency Narrative: Riverside Mill has an interesting history believed to date back to the late 1700s and more recently having undergone a full programme of renovation by the current owners. The property now offers spacious and flexible accommodation arranged over three floors. An impressive entrance hall which is open to eaves leads to a superb open plan kitchen, dining room and sitting area with exposed Scotch pine beams. This area lends itself to family living and entertaining. A utility room is found adjacent to the kitchen and provides access to the ground floor shower room. A study/occasional bedroom is accessed off the entrance Hall and completes the ground floor accommodation. Indian slate flooring spans the entirety of the ground floor.

The first floor galleried landing is of generous size and provides access to four double bedrooms and the family bathroom. Two further secondary staircases rise to the master bedroom suite and the guest suite. The master bedroom is of particular note with a walk-in wardrobe, vaulted ceilings and access to a private south facing balcony.

Agency Summary:-

6 Bedrooms.

3 Reception Rooms.

4 Bathrooms.

Garden.

Private Parking.

Water Frontage.

Fishing.

Approximately 1 Acre.

Location: Riverside Mill, Llansantffraid, Powys, SY22 6SU.

[Please note: If you are researching this, Llansantffraid can be spelt with, or without the letter “t”]

Tenure: Freehold.

Guide: £500,000.

Contact Strutt & Parker Agencies Tel: 01743 284200 – Mr Tom Wright. Please can readers help the Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the estate agent know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.

Online Brochure ….

http://search.struttandparker.com/residential/llansanffraid-powys-sy22/15163

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Unique Property Bulletin – Future

With some relief, and after 99 online editions we can say there is a future for the internet version of the Unique Property Bulletin.

We are now seeking some feedback from our readers please?

The original Unique Property Bulletin started 25 years ago in old style paper format. The most we ever printed for any given edition way back then just tipped the scale at 3,000.

An Old Fashioned Paper Format Unique Property Bulletin

Contrast that with the the online version? We are fast approaching the 100th edition of the Unique Property Bulletin e-version and this has exceeded our wildest dreams. Many new friends along the way, lots of interesting buildings, and a growing number of helpers and contributors emailing in with interesting properties to share among this merry band of eccentrics who write and read about unusual property in this little corner of the internet every week.

The internet e-version numbers are awesome, and also humbling. Our grammar and syntax are all over the place. Copy-editing is on holiday abroad somewhere. The words here are hardly Shakespeare. But in just 100 weeks we now averaging over 25,000 readers. Thankyou. Really, from the heart, thankyou.

The website is an absolute delight to research and run. The volunteers at this end will keep scouring the various sources for unusual property to share on this site.

This site shall remain free. The Bulletin will still be run on a not-for-profit and break-even basis.

However, the thing is getting to a size where this website will soon require professional assistance, especially on the Information Technology side. Our aim is to reach 100,000 readership by the end of year 4 online. Up until now the modest advertising and book sales have near enough balanced the books. We are running at around a £900 defecit on a ballpark turnover of £4,000 for year one online which is sustainable and doesn’t compromise our not-for-profit ethos. Though costs and revenue are gently increasing albeit on a fairly balanced basis for year two – so we need to carefully consider the future.

There is a need to beef up the income side without compromising the not-for-profit and total free access elements. Especially if we are to secure the professional IT assistance that is very much needed.

This brings us neatly to an idea that came to the Bulletin office a few weeks ago. A major property auction house, with the assistance of whom our sister company has sold and bought several buildings over the years has advised that a modest joint venture project may be a good idea. This new endeavour would be …

Unique Property Auctions

This would mean the Bulletin would have a dedicated Unique Property Auction section on the “virtual” side of things here at the Bulletin online, whilst the more “worldly” physical auction house partner would host the unique property auctions at their premises throughout the United Kingdom.

The result would be twofold.

1] The unique property selling folk that read – and are featured – within the Unique Property Bulletin would have a facility and specialised service to help sell their unusual building via this website in concert with an established mainstream property auction house.

2] The shared fee income from the Unique Property Auctions and mainstream auction house would mean that the Bulletin could employ someone properly skilled in the IT side of website operation. On a part time basis to start, but full time as the readership increases, and the IT demand grows.

An Actual Example: One Of Our Own Unique Properties Sold At Auction

A Really Useful Facility.

This would relieve the volunteer element of the Unique Property Bulletin to spend more time finding and sharing unusual properties on this site, and also ensure the website is kept up to date and grown in a way that it will soon need.

So here is our request to readers: Is this a good idea? Is it a reasonable way forward? Would those readers who are looking to sell their unusual homes utilise such a facility as a Unique Property Auction?

All constructive comments and advice warmly welcome…

Is this a good way to ensure the future of Unique Property Bulletin online ?

Would unusual property Buyers use a Unique Property Auction?

Would unusual property Sellers use a Unique Property Auction?

Positive Advice Welcome.

Kindest regards,

Unique Property Bulletin Team

Click Here To Contact Us

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Dixon of Dock Green Please

No names, no pack drill. We received an email from a reader asking to keep an eye out for former police stations in London coming up for sale. ‘Appy to oblige Ma’am.

This isn’t quite London’s Dixon of Dock Green, but it has the class and architectural vernacular character of something Jack Warner might walk out from and give a famed monologue, prior to plodding out onto his beat.

Agency Narrative: Former police station with sui generis use. Residential development potential subject to the necessary consents.

Sui generis use. Range of possible alternative uses subject to obtaining the necessary consents

Land – Approximately: 0.31 acres (0.126 ha).

Buildings – Approximately: 6,114 sq ft (568 sq m) GIA.

Planning report available on dedicated website.

Location: Winchmere Hill Police Station, 687 Green Lanes, London, N21 3RS.

Tenure: Freehold.

Guide: £ Please Contact Selling Agent

Contact Knight Frank Agencies Tel: 020 7861 5429 – Thomas Scaife, or David Shapland on 020 7861 5455. Please can readers help the Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the estate agent know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.

Online Brochure ….

http://search.knightfrank.co.uk/rss130015

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Try Before You Buy ….

Bess of Hardwick

This week’s Try-Before-You-Buy is a wonderfully atmospheric treat that you may care to take up. Located in the grounds of Hardwick Hall, as Ashley Dace’s splendid photograph above shows. You can just about make out the two storey East Lodge holiday accommodation betwixt the two halls, at the lower left of the picture.

If really old buildings do it for you, then a holiday based at East Lodge – from as little as £649 per week for a family trip – should inspire. You can scamper about these wonderful buildings and get a real feel of what it may be like to live deep in history should the week or two you spend here convince you to go and buy a very old castle or similar ancient building.

The view above is from the top of the Old Hall (English Heritage) to the New Hall (National Trust). Remember to take your camera with you. The place is absolutely splendid.

A little background from English Heritage …

Bess of Hardwick was one of the best-connected and richest women of the Elizabethan age. Her life had all the trappings of a Hollywood blockbuster. Married four times (aged only 15 at her first wedding), she survived all her husbands and then returned to her family estate, whereupon she built two large houses, the Old Hall and the New Hall.

Old Hall is now a ruin – but an exhilarating one set in dreamy Derbyshire countryside. And although roofless, you can still go to the fourth floor to view the surviving decorative plasterwork, as well as exploring the kitchen and service rooms, all brought to life by the excellent audio tour.

East Lodge, a two-storey cottage, sleeps four comfortably. At one time, it was a laundry before being refitted in 1924 to house the night watchman. A private garden provides the perfect place for alfresco dining, while a wood burning stove in the sitting room creates a cosy atmosphere on chilly evenings.

An exhibition in the West Lodge describes much of Bess’ adventures in love and architecture – not quite in Hollywood style but a hot ticket in any event.

Location: East Lodge, Hardwick Old Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5QJ.

Holiday Accommodation: 4 – 1 Double, 1 Twin – Starting from £649 per week.

Contact: 0870 333 1187.

Online Details …

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/hardwick-old-hall/east-lodge/

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Unique Property Bulletin – Archive

Back Issue Bulletins – Former Lighthouses, Coastguard Stations, Castles, Barns, Railway Stations, Windmills, etc

Unique Property Bulletin 27 October 2013

Calico Curves

Magnificent Church

Unique Property Competition

Competition Hint – Recent Nuclear Postcode ?

Unique Property Bulletin Competition Entry Contact Page

Killantringan Lighthouses

Student Mechanics

Nuclear Bunker Offers In By Date

Hayling Island Gem

Tales From The Riverbank

Unique Property Bulletin – Future

Unique Property Auctions

Dixon of Dock Green Please

Try Before You Buy ….

Bess of Hardwick