The 79th Group, which has a sound track record of property developments all over the UK, will take on the redevelopment of Hexham’s 182 year old workhouse through its 79th Luxury Living division, after negotiating a deal with the support of top 50 law firm, Weightmans LLP.
The concept of creating 34 luxury two and three bedroomed apartments already has detailed planning permission and will involve the part demolition, refurbishment and extension of the building.
Group Chairman, David Webster, said: “This is a really exciting project because despite all the interest in this site, over several years, sadly the plans have never come to fruition. It enjoys an enviable position in the heart of the Tyne Valley and has huge potential to become a sought after residential development.
“We are planning to employ the expertise of people with a proven track record for bringing derelict buildings back to life and where possible, maintain original period features. This is exactly the sort of creative reuse of historic buildings which helps to provide housing on accessible town centre sites.”
The original Hexham Union Workhouse was constructed in 1839, consisting of three parallel two-storey blocks. Between 1880 and 1883, the building was remodelled, with the main west range being demolished and replaced with a new administration block and a Master's House, flanked by two sick wards. This sizeable expansion allowed the site to accommodate 300 residents.
The Old Workhouse was used for a myriad of different purposes after 1930. It was first repurposed as the Hexham Public Assistance Institution, until the building was utilised for administrative purposes during World War Two. The formation of the NHS in 1948 saw the site put to use as the administration buildings of Hexham General Hospital, until the premises were vacated in 2004 upon the hospital's relocation.
Since then, the site has laid unoccupied and developers have time and again been unable to realise its potential. Fortunately, this provided our team with an opportunity that fits perfectly with our area of expertise - acquiring distressed assets and realising their potential.
The project has been featured in a number of local and national press articles and further updates will be coming very shortly.