Developers have unveiled details for a prestigious property development in one of the North East’s most exclusive areas.
Plans to convert The Coach House at the Drive, Gosforth , began last June when FiftyTwo Group, which specialises in regenerating historic buidings, teamed up with the property’s owners, McDougall Dodds.
The resulting scheme, to create luxury apartments and houses at the site, has been given the green light by Newcastle planners and construction is now poised to start within weeks.
Eight properties will be created, which include two houses, two bungalows, three two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment.
Work will begin on converting the Grade II listed building in June, with a projected completion date of spring 2020.
Although the conversion has only just begun, a preview event for potential buyers will take place at the building on May 17.
Daniel Gibson, of the FiftyTwo Group, said: “This part of Gosforth is widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious addresses in the region. And there are people who have lived here for most of their lives who might want to downsize, but without compromising on the quality of their home.
“The Coach House is a development that will tick all of those boxes – a variety of beautiful homes in a fantastic location.”
The FiftyTwo Group specialises in developments in historic properties, having previously transformed 52 Old Elvet in Durham into 12 luxury apartments.
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It was that development which led to the partnership with the Summers family, which owns McDougall Dodds Ltd and which has owned The Coach house since the 1970s.
The Coach House, together with the Gatehouse which is also located at the Drive, are the last remaining parts of Coxlodge Hall, a mansion built in Gosforth by Job Bulman in 1796, which occupied a site of more than 30 acres.
The house itself was destroyed by fire in 1877 but was rebuilt two years later and passed through a number of owners until it became a private school, eventually being demolished in 1939.
Since the 1950s the building has been used as commercial offices until last year when the current development was confirmed.
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