Historic building converted in Hexham

A historic Grade II Listed building is being converted into 16 new homes in the heart of the market town of Hexham.

The former Prospect House landmark development sits in the shadow of the town’s Old Gaol, Moot Hall and Hexham Abbey.

Financed as a joint venture between LOK Developments, part of The Morton Group, and Hilltop Credit Partners, the development will be ready to welcome its new homeowners in early 2021. The former council building will be converted into 11 apartments, with an addition of five new build properties.

The development has been named Montague Court after the 1^st Marquess of Montagu and Earl of Northumberland, a leading partisan in the War of the Roses.

Original plans for the important site were amended in December 2019 to incorporate an improved design which is sympathetic to existing features and improves the offering by reducing the number of homes by two and increasing the size of several apartments. Work started on site in January 2020.

When it is complete, Montague Court will incorporate one three-bedroom apartment and ten one- and two-bedroom apartments in the old building, along with five new build properties to the front and rear.

Kapex Construction, also one of The Morton Group companies, is carrying out the restoration of Montague Court.

Business development director at The Morton Group Chris Nunn said: “This is a landmark building which is viewed with real importance to people living in Hexham.

“We’ve spent a great deal of time changing the look and feel of the building, which was cramped and not well laid out since it was last used as a council building in 2016.

“With expertise in restoring buildings of this nature, we’ve retained as many of the historic original features as possible, and we’re delighted to be breathing new life into an important building and to restore it to its former glory.

“This is a really nice development, close to the Abbey, Old Gaol and Moot Hall in the heart of Hexham market town, which has fantastic views over the Tyne Valley, with access to residents’ parking.

“We have an excellent tracked record of delivering sensitive restorations of Listed buildings and have previously converted Middleton Hall in Northumberland and recently restored All Saints Church in Newcastle.

“Hexham has a strong housing market and we’re sure units in this sought-after town will be snapped up when they are released in early 2021.”