Blast From The Past
Towan Island, Newquay, Cornwall (c) 2013 Unique Home Stays
Yup, you may be having a bout of déjà vu, for this is a blast from the past. But we revisit with a definite purpose. First a little review for those who are not familiar with this extraordinary house atop a rocky outcrop.
All that this fabulous island in the sand needs is to have Johnny Depp swashbuckling across the rope bridge to this wonderful unique house and the picture would be complete. It is even located in Cornwall – home of the Jolly Roger!
Each day at Unique Property Bulletin we are lucky enough to receive emails from folk wanting to buy in all areas of the UK, and at all price ranges. We endeavour to oblige. One thing that can be a little heart rending is the “if only” email. That is someone, or even a family, with a dream unique home that appears unaffordable. Well from this end, at various stages of life, there has been great fortune and misfortune in equal measures. But here’s the thing: you can share and succeed in the endeavour of finding that place which suits your needs. Whether it be ten thousand pounds or ten million. Yup that is the range covered by readers who email Unique Property Bulletin. Interestingly, you can buy that unusual home for a lot less than you may think. It is certainly possible if you have the determination and stamina to keep looking.
Towan Island Rope Bridge (c) 2013 Steve Parker
Look At the Pure Colours In The Photograph – Just Don’t Look Down !
So why has this week’s Bulletin started in this way? Well Towan Island is a blast from the past – we featured it for sale a couple of years ago. Also for several, this fantastic place was seemingly unaffordable. Today we can share some good news. The owner of Towan Island is now happy to rent the place out for holidays. So it can be yours for a relatively modest amount – given comparable costs of family holidays to Florida, France or Spain.
Towan Island – Tide Out – Nice Beach (c) 2013 Steve Daniels
Alright, maybe this island home is yours for just a week’s holiday rather than forever, but what an amazing experience?
Our friends over at Unique Home Stays …
http://www.uniquehomestays.com/unique/details.asp?ID=2246
… have been very good to us, and we really appreciate their help in finding interesting places to experience.
So this week the Bulletin is sort of upside down. We usually have the try-before-you-buy experience section featured at the very end. Today for once, such is the exceptional nature of the Towan Island unique property, coupled with affordability for the vast majority of our readers, that we lead with this property as a holiday destination to set the pulse racing. With that Indiana Jones rope bridge, your wee heart will probably race faster than a Formula One Grand Prix car.
Towan Island – Tide In – Fine Seas Surround (c) 2013 Steve McKay
We list this island house in Cornwall for you, our reader. The writer of this has been very very lucky. Having the good fortune to have lived on islands most of his life. With a firm belief that anyone who has a similar curiosity about islands should at least be afforded a taste of what it is truly like to stay on an island.
By taking a holiday at Towan Island, you can definitely see if islands are for you. Go on, treat yourself. Even send us an email to share how you got on …
http://uniquepropertybulletin.org/contact/
Location: Towan Island, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1EA [approximate]
Tenure: Holiday Destination & Island Experience.
Guide: £ Varies.
Contact Unique Home Stays Tel: 01637 88 1942. Please can you help Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the agent know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.
Online Brochure and LOTS of really nice photographs …
http://www.uniquehomestays.com/unique/details.asp?ID=2246
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Shell With Potential
Castlehill, New Cumnock, Ayrshire (c) 2013 Wilsons Auctions.
From the sea-shells and sea-shores of Cornwall, we head north to a different sort of shell. This has the look of a former church building, or possibly a very old village school. It has a mildly Gothic feel. Though the bones of stones are only just giving a hint of what was here before. Even so, there seems something to get your teeth into, and the price – well shell out £40,000 and you do get a detached something on a nice sized plot to play with.
No plans have been submitted yet ….
Ayrshire ePlanning – Castlehill – No Plans Yet – Over To The Buyer 🙂
Castlehill, New Cumnock, Ayrshire (c) 2013 Wilsons Auctions.
But it is understood that the Seller has drawings for five homes, should a buyer wish to go that way. Call us nostalgic, but the masonry that remains on the site seems to be crying out to be rebuilt to the fine building that once graced this piece of land.
Location: 6 Castlehill, New Cumnock, Ayrshire, KA18 4AF.
Tenure: Feuhold (Scottish Equivalent of Freehold).
Guide: £40,000. Auction Date 17th October 2013. Remember FTSAA.
Contact Wilsons Auction House Tel: 01294 833 444 – Mr Gary Wilkie. Please can you help the Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the auctioneer agent know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Tapadh leibh.
Online Brochure and LOTS of photographs …
http://www.wilsonsauctions.com/land-property-search-results/1507
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Competition – £100 Prize
PLUS
TWO £50 NOTES = Unique Property Bulletin Competition
Following the popularity of our earlier competitions, we are upping the 10 shilling note prize. A guest appearance of the more popular £100 prize is the current Unique Property Bulletin winning fund if any reader can answer our clue. Though for the avoidance of doubt, if you win the prize for the current competition, it will be an old fashioned cheque headed your way.
Competition Hint – WWII Beam Inventor
Free to enter. Just let us know your guess of who you think the above Competition Hint refers to? Please email your entry to us by 27th October 2013. You may need to check out a previous edition or two to understand the clue a little better.
This Unique Property Bulletin Competition must be easier than previous ones – we already have 5 correct answers to pop into the hat – so why not have a bash youself? The £100 is there to be won 🙂
Email free entries to:-
Unique Property Bulletin Competition Entry Contact Page
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Flex Appeal
Cumbria Church (c) 2013 Roy Pugh
There has to be a prize for the catchiness of name. Flex Appeal. Though from the vernacular of this building, architecturally it looks like a church, which is exactly what it was in a former life. Now sadly a building in need of a new owner. Marked by the auctioneer as being “sold on behalf of a mortgagee not in possession”. Any prospective buyer will need to make due diligence enquiries as to the status of tenancy. A brief check at the Companies House website shows “Flex Appeal Ltd” as being alive and kicking. Understandably healthy given the type of business operated by this well named firm. In all likelihood, the building owner has defaulted to the point of repossession, but with a fully functional and liquid tenant still paying rent. A simple £3 paid to Companies House will give you a quick health check on any tenant you may wish to do business with as this former church may be of interest as an investment property.
Whatever the facts, it is very important that you check out the position of vacant possession/or sale WITH tenant, as if there is a long term commercial lease you may find this property is not quite what you are looking for. Though at a guide of £40,000, this seems little money for a functional building.
Notwithstanding the current clarification required about tenancy/vacant possession on this former church, here at the Bulletin we tend to feature unusual buildings to form either a home, or a home/telecommute type of arrangement where quality of life and lifestyle rank highly. Readers should make sure of whether this building is exactly right for their needs before sticking the paw in the air and waiving at the auctioneer.
Sale Summary:-
“Former church hall currently used as a gymnasium sold on behalf of a mortgagee not in possession“
The property is situated on the edge of Barrow town centre in a predominantly residential area. Hartington Street can be accessed from Abbey Road.
Two storey semi-detached commercial premises currently used as a gym.
Approximately 260.63 sq m (2,805 sq ft).
Location: St James’ Church Hall, Hartington Street, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 5SS.
Tenure: Freehold – Please check vacant possession position [if needed].
Guide: £40,000 – Auction Lot 42 – Auction Date: 16th October 2013. Remember FTSAA.
Contact Roy Pugh Auctioneers Agencies Tel: 0844 722 444. Please can you help Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the estate auctioneer know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.
Online Brochure ….
http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Manchester/20131016/042
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Cuckoo Nest Barn
Barn at Bingley (c) 2013 Roy Pugh
Not just a barn, but one with a fabulous name. Though a sting in the tail with the buyer being required to pay up to £2,000 towards the seller’s costs. Having advised about the costs, this interesting lot does have planning permission for a house. Whether that incorporates utilising the barn – in whole or part – appears likely, but that is the fun of the buyer’s due diligence; in other words rummaging around the paperwork.
Auctioneer’s Summary:-
“Vacant land and barn approximately 904 sq m (1,081 sq yds) with residential planning consent“
Land and barn with planning permission to adapt to a single dwelling The property is situated approximately 1 mile to the west of Bingley town centre accessed via Harden Road (B6429). Bingley is situated 5.5 miles to the north west of Bradford city centre and 3 miles to the west of Shipley.
Site Area: Approximately 904 sq m (1,081 sq yds).
Planning: The property benefits from planning consent for the erection of a single residential dwelling granted 18th December 2012 (Application No: 12/04183/REG). Interested parties should consult direct with the Local Planning Office, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, 3rd Floor, Jacobs Well, Bradford, BD1 5RW. Tel: 01274 434 605.
Location: Cuckoo Nest Barn, Harden Road, Bingley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD16 1HT.
Tenure: Freehold
Guide: £50,000 – Auction Lot 117 – Auction Date: 17th October 2013. Remember FTSAA.
Also please note the clause requiring the buyer to pay up to £2,000 + VAT towards the seller’s costs.
Contact Roy Pugh Auctioneers Agencies Tel: 0844 722 444. Please can you help Unique Property Bulletin stay free to use by letting the estate auctioneer know that you found their property on the Unique Property Bulletin website. Thankyou.
Online Brochure ….
http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Leeds/20131017/117
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Binary Boathouses
East & West Boathouses, Melfort, Argyll (c) 2013 Bell Ingram
Okay, we have been good for a few months now. Balancing the geographic offerings so that all corners of the UK are covered. However, the lovely photograph of these two boathouses and the moorings in Scotland meant we just had to list them.
Agency Narrative: The subjects are almost unique, comprising part of a self-contained holiday village, with its own pier and harbour, located in one of Scotland’s foremost, naturally scenic areas. The sale offers a purchaser the chance to own a unique property providing the opportunity for a strong holiday letting business in addition to a wonderful family holiday home. Details of previous holiday letting occupancy rates on request.
The two Boat Houses comprise a detached, two storey building developed around [1990] of modern construction, with cedar cladding, on concrete and block elevations under a pitched and slated roof and feature stone buttresses supporting the roof ridge. Each semi-detached house benefits from a parking area and small garden, together with a deck overlooking the harbour and featuring a built-in barbecue.
Internally, both houses are finished and equipped to an exceptionally high standard, including a sauna, and with each bedroom has full en-suite facilities. Both properties benefit from planning consent for use as year-round, self-catering holiday accommodation, but are subject to planning conditions restricting occupancy by a single person or family unit to periods of not more than three months per annum.
On a professional note from Unique Property Bulletin – and this is based on studying the planning laws of many other countries – our planning regulations here in the UK are some of the most obdurate in the world. Sorry, but that just has to be recorded as a strong point of view from this end. Any local authority planning department that cuts through the red tape and helps create jobs, homes, and assists in re-opening closed derelict buildings should get a medal.
Location: The Boathouse East, Melfort, Argyll, PA34 4XD.
Location: The Boathouse West, Melfort, Argyll, PA34 4XD.
Tenure: Both Boathouses are Feuhold (Scottish Equivalent of Freehold).
Guide: The Boathouse East – Offers in excess of £335,000
Guide: The Boathouse West – Offers in excess of £325,000
Contact Bell Ingram Agencies Tel: 01631 566 122. Please can you 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. Tapadh leibh.
Online Brochure and LOTS of photographs …
http://www.bellingram.co.uk/properties/show/1300
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Barn At Broad Campden
The Barn, Campden, Gloucestershire (c) 2013 Smiths Gore
Motoring back down south to the Home Shires, we land at a visually interesting barn conversion in Gloucestershire.
Agency Narrative: A substantial and stylish converted period barn, occupying a magical rural location, set in just under five acres of gardens and grounds with panoramic views.
Reception/dining hall, drawing room, sitting room, playroom, study, garden room, kitchen/breakfast room, laundry, larder, two cloakrooms, principal bedroom with walk in dressing cupboards and en-suite bathroom, guest bedroom with en-suite shower room, bedroom three with en-suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and family bathroom.
The Barn, Campden, Gloucestershire (c) 2013 Smiths Gore
Four bay open fronted car port with attached workshop, tool store and machine store set around a courtyard. Landscaped courtyard garden, terraced gardens, informal gardens and grounds. Truly magnificent 360 degree views.
The whole extending to just under five acres in all. Total sq ft 6,491.
The Barn, Campden, Gloucestershire (c) 2013 Smiths Gore
Location: The Barn, Broad Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6DF
[Postcode approximate – please check with agency BEFORE embarking]
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £2,750,000.
Contact Smith Gore Agencies Tel: 01451 832 833 – Mr Robert Pritchard. Please can you help 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 and LOTS of photographs ….
http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/property-for-sale-broad-campden-3861322
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Email A Castle Please
Kinpurnie Castle, Kinpurnie Estate, Angus (c) 2013 Savills
Not sure if the Broadband is yet ready to email a castle. Though with the advent of 3D printing it won’t be long until …
Anyways this morning, on our every increasing pile of castle emails were the exact words: “Email A Castle Please”.
Kinpurnie Castle – Exquisite Wood Panelled Interior (c) 2013 Savills
Hands up from this end of the website. Guilty. We are back up north again. Like a yo-yo. But a big boy did it and ran away! We do endeavour to balance north and south geographic areas.
Seriously, as mentioned, a lot of readers are regullarly asking for castles, and we have one very freshly picked for those, so inclined for a parapet or two, let alone the baronial embattlements. Also very picturesque. So this is for all of the Uniquers who have asked for this genre.
Agency Summary-
Kinpurnie Castle (8 bedrooms)
Gate Lodge (2 bedrooms)
Carriage House and Garages
Walled Garden
Approximately 17 Acres Pasture
Approximately 108 Acres Woodland
Carriage House & Garages – Kinpurnie Estate, Angus (c) 2013 Savills
Agency Narrative :-
Kinpurnie Castle is an imposing B listed mansion house built in 1907 in a Scots baronial style with a castellated tower from which fine views can be enjoyed over the surrounding countryside. The castle is discreetly positioned in lightly wooded grounds with a colourful, well stocked walled garden boasting a high degree of privacy. Despite its imposing exterior the Castle is surprisingly manageable, making it equally suited to being a family home or perhaps being developed into the core element of a more extensive leisure operation, a small hotel or business headquarters. The principal accommodation on the first floor comprises an imposing oak panelled reception hall, four elegant reception rooms with marble fireplaces and elaborate plaster ceilings and cornices. With two kitchens and all the various stores and pantries required for entertaining on a lavish scale, the Kinpurnie Castle is extremely well appointed to cater for large house parties.
There are four bedroom suites, four further bedrooms and four bathrooms. There is potential to enhance the principal bedroom suites by altering the existing layout to create en-suite bathrooms in existing dressing rooms. Similarly, the lower ground floor, which is currently used as a series of storage rooms, could be converted to provide a state of the art gymnasium or entertainment space. Further rooms are contained in the tower, nursery and staff wings.
Kinpurnie Castle – Gorgeous Gardens (c) 2013 Savills
Architectural Note: Kinpurnie Castle was designed by Thoms and Wilkie of Dundee, and built in 1907-8 for Sir Charles Cayzer, the ship owner and founder of the Clan Line, who had recently acquired the estate from the Earl of Wharncliffe’s Trustees. The gate lodge and the entrance gates, along with the garage and chauffeur’s house, were designed and built at the same time, as was the walled garden. All are described by John Gifford in The Buildings of Scotland: Angus and Dundee (pub Yale, 2012) as being in the free C17 Scotstyle, otherwise known as Scots Renaissance. Only two years later, Sir Charles commissioned the same architects to remodel and enlarge the house, presumably to accommodate his numerous grandchildren as well as house parties. At that time, the original attic walls were heightened to a full storey under new battlements with conical roofs rising above them. The chimneypiece in the drawing room came from Ralston House.
Location: Kinpurnie Castle, Kinpurnie Estate, Angus, PH12 8TW.
Tenure: Feuhold (Scottish Equivalent of Freehold).
Guide: £2,500,000.
Contact Savills Tel: Mr Luke French on 0131 247 3700 or Mr Alex Lawson on 020 7016 3780 – Please can you 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. Tapadh leibh.
Online Brochure ….
http://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbedruedr130042
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This Will Lead You Promptly To This Website
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Conservatively Closed
Former Bingley Conservative Club, Bingley (c) 2013 Eddisons
There is an adage relating to not talking about politics in order to avoid a rammy. Notwithstanding anyone’s political views or affiliation, we have included this former Conservative Club as the building is a very fine piece of masonry structure. It is also an FTSAA – a Failed to Sell At Auction property. Meaning there may be some flexibility in the price the owner would consider accepting. In plain English – a bargain may be had.
Auctioneer’s Narrative:-
Vacant former club and premises / extends to approximately 484.16m2 (5,211 sq ft). May suit a variety of uses subject to consents. Town centre location.
Location: Situated within Bingley town centre, the property occupies a prominent position fronting the main street and directly opposite a public pay and display car park. Immediate surrounding users are mixed and include Keith Lambert Cycle Sports, Valentino’s Restaurant, Hunters Estate Agents, The Queens Public House, Weatherhead & Butcher Solicitors, B-Toned Beauticians.
Accommodation:-
BASEMENT Stores, former Beer Cellar, boiler room plus separate rear entrance/fire exit 97.00m2 (1,044 sq ft).
GROUND FLOOR Entrance hall leading to: Former Club Lounge, Bar area with separate Ladies and Gents WC facilities, segregated darts area and snooker/private function room 184.36m2 (1,985sq ft).
FIRST FLOOR Function room and private bar, raised stage area, ladies and gents WC facilities, separate kitchen and office/store room 202.80m2 ( 2,183sq ft).
Total gross internal floor area 484.16m2 ( 5,211sq ft).
A little background information …
Telegraph and Argus Bingley_Conservative_Building_For_Sale
Location: The Former Bingley Conservative Club, 110 Main Street, Bingley, BD16 2JH.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £177,000 – FTSAA = Failed To Sell At Auction – 18 September 2013.
Contact Eddison Auctioneers Tel: 0845 505 1200. 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.eddisons.com/property-auctions/previous-auction-results/67/60/
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Architecturally Unique
Pure Imagination
North Park Olympic Legacy Concept Ideas (c) 2013 Ushida Findlay
In another life, the writer of this week’s edition of the Unique Property Bulletin would have chosen to be an architect. The endeavour that making a building of the imagination into a real object brings immense pleasure. Not least the thought that others can benefit from this vocation and the resultant buildings too.
This week for our Unique Architecture, the following homes-on-sticks popped up.
Olympic Legacy Architecture Concepts – Ushida Findlay
The first thought was: could that actually be built? Would it be built?
The answer has to err on the yes side. Why? Well after finding out who was involved in the above, we stumbled upon another, more famous collaboration. The firm of architects for the above building concept also helped with the design of something else. Another structure that many wouldn’t have dreamt could be built – the Anish Kapoor Arcelormittal Orbital structure did in fact move from an idea to something very real. In this case, the 2012 London Olympic Games…
ArcelorMittal Orbit, London 2012, Olympic Park (c) 2012 Paul Buckingham
http://www.ushida-findlay.com/project/arcelor-mittal-orbit/
Just imagine living in your own, mini version of this house in the clouds!
The ArcelorMittal Olympic Orbit is what might be termed a “Marmite Structure”. Folk love or hate it. Most people certainly have an opinion. We weren’t too sure at first, but closer inspection, and this artistic creation has certainly grown on us. Not least, but look at the viewing pod up 80 metres high. In fact the Olympic structure is exactly that. It is Olympic in height at 115 metres to the top tip.
Ushida Findlay Architects were appointed by Arup to realise the architectural elements of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, enabling up to a million people per year to visit the structure.
The tallest art structure in Britain, the Orbit stands alongside the Olympic Stadium. So from Unique Property Bulletin, with compliments, we present our modest monthly recognition of truly unique architecture…
Unique Architect Award For October 2013
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Ushida Findlay Architects
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Contact
Ushida Findlay Architects
Ushida Findlay Architects
Carlow House
Carlow Street
London,
NW1 7LH
Telephone: 0207 755 6688
Email:
Ushida Findlay Architects – Contact Page
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Try Before You Buy …..
Just in case you are wondering where this week’s try-before-you-buy experience is – we bumped it up to the number one spot. Given the spectacular holiday, and energy you should receive from such a holiday, and discovering what island living can be like, we have headlined this week’s property from this part of the Bulletin. Next week back to normal – same place, same time, as the saying goes.
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