The historic family home of a famous Northern Ireland-born explorer has gone on the market.
The Co Down town of Banbridge certainly celebrates the legacy and life of Captain Francis Crozier.
A monument in the town was erected in 1862 – 14 years after he disappeared on a hazardous expedition to find the North-West Passage.
Born in Banbridge in 1796, Captain Crozier – one of 13 children – initially volunteered with, and went on to serve in, the Royal Navy.
The monument stands visible from the windows of the family home, which also bears a blue plaque celebrating the famous polar explorer and the town’s most famous son.
The monument, according to Clarke Restoration, which carried out repairs and works on it, is “one of eight points across the world acknowledging Francis Crozier’s contribution towards exploration and science”.
It is the family home – Avonmore House – which has now been placed on the market for sale, with Lambert Smith Hampton seeking offers of around £400,000.
The property stands next to the former Coach nightclub building at the foot of Banbridge.
According to the agent: “Avonmore House comprises a three-storey mid-terrace building on Church Square and was built around 1791.
“The historic building was the family home of explorer Captain Francis Crozier, whose monument stands to the front of the building.
“Crozier made six major journeys to the Arctic and Antarctic during the 19th century and disappeared 170 years ago in a hazardous search to find the North-West Passage.”
The building has an internal floorspace of around 3,245 sq ft.
The agent advises that it is “currently comprised of 13 individual office suites, producing a total rental income of £45,360 per annum.”
LSH adds: “Each suite benefits from an integrated intercom and access system, allowing for remote door entrance. Externally, the property retains many of the original period features, while internally it has recently undergone light refurbishment works.
“The basement, ground and first floors are finished to include plastered and painted walls, a mixture of carpeted, vinyl and wooden flooring, gas-fired central heating, double-glazed PVC windows, and fluorescent strip lighting. The property also benefits from the provision of W.C. and kitchen facilities.
“The property is suitable for a variety of uses, subject to the relevant statutory approvals.”
