An iconic Armagh building could be completely transformed into a boutique-style hotel which would overlook the picturesque Mall in the heart of the city centre.
Gosford Place – formerly of the Southern Health Trust – has gone on the market for the princely sum of £400,000, with property agents Lisney, touting the building as a potential hotel.
Armagh I understands the building has already received the full asking price, with upwards of four interested parties vying for the property.
The 22,000 sq ft former office building could also make way for, what Lisney say, a “Boutique Hotel / B&B, refurbished offices and residential homes with an element of ground floor retail/restaurant/coffee shop uses fronting onto The Mall”.
However, a source close to Armagh I says it’s unlikely the building will be turned into a hotel given the lack of parking facilities in the area.
And with plans to build a multi-million pound hotel just a few hundred yards away in Gaol Square, the hotel option would be the unlikeliest of the aforementioned developments, with a residential development the front-runner for the new owner.
However, he did say Council would be keen to see a hotel overlooking the city’s main focal point – and under the watchful gaze of the two cathedrals.
With asking price met, offers will still be accepted until the unofficial closing date, expected some time before Christmas.
In their description, Lisney, the property comprises a four storey over basement office building.
The property is a mix of converted residential, listed, terrace buildings and a purposely built office extension fronting onto The Mall.
The original listed building element is understood to be of 1830’s construction with an extension in the early 1970s.
Internally the office space is highly cellular in nature and arranged over basement plus four upper floors.
There is lift access and an external terrace area on the top floor providing fantastic views over The Mall.
There are also four dedicated on site car parking spaces are located to the rear, accessed off Russell Street.
