Landmark building for sale

The site of a shirt factory at the mouth of the Fountain on Abercorn Road, once occupied by world renowned shirt label Ben Sherman's, has been placed on the open market. Seven vacant terraced houses leading off the former factory into Wapping lane are included included in the sale. The historic Georgian building, designed and built in 1863 by local architect A McElwee, once boasted a thriving workforce manufacturing shirts that were renowned for their quality and were sold across the globe. Of simple design in weathered brick the factory was topped off with its own clock tower.

The sale is being handled by estate agents O'Connor, Kennedy and Turtle and is being earmarked as a high profile, landmark building, providing an outstanding opportunity for culture related development.

The building is listed within a conservation plan for heritage related buildings in the city. An architectural scheme, subject to planning permission is also in place and has the scope to refurbish the old building into 111 apartments and car parking space for 112 cars.

Plans suggest that 103 two bedroomed apartments and eight one bedroom apartments are achievable in the project. The four storey building occupies almost three-quarters of an acre of space.

Information on the building contained on the O'Connor, Kennedy and Turtle website states that the premises is "Forming a gateway location to the Cityside, the extent of the site and its configuration to include topography, makes it ideal for a mix of commercial and residential uses-Private Apartments, Social Housing, Offices, Licensed Premises, Institutional/Community use, subject to all the requisite statutory approvals."

No price is currently listed for the property as details will be given on application to the estate agents.

Whilst the notice indicating the sale of the site has only appeared in the last few days, Michael Burke of O'Connor, Kennedy and Turtle told the Sentinel that some inquiries have already been made.

"This is a massive site and may be of interest to housing associations or for office development and would be an ideal location for a retail premises," he said.