THE former Debenhams office complex in Taunton has been put up for sale through Alder King.
Bedford House, on Park Street, secured prior approval for conversion into 69 apartments last year.
It is now on the market with a guide price of over £3.25 million.
Bedford House was home to hundreds of Debenhams administrative staff until the retailer went into administration last year and is now vacant.
An application for change of use from office use to residential was submitted to planners at Somerset West and Taunton Council last August and the property was given prior approval for a combination of 69 one and two bedroom apartments.
Alder King partner Andrew Maynard is handling the disposal on behalf of the landlord.
Mr Maynard said: “Bedford House provided Debenhams with good quality office space for many years in a convenient town centre location, close to the main retailing area and opposite County Hall and Shire Hall.
"While, of course, it could continue to provide good quality office accommodation, we expect most interest to come from the residential development sector, attracted by the prior approval for redevelopment, combined with the property market’s renewed demand for flats.”
Built in 1965, the complex is made up of two interconnected blocks providing a total of 56,398 sq ft of accommodation.
It sits on a 1.16 acre site and comes with 40 parking spaces.
The property was last refurbished by Debenhams in 2016 with new double glazed windows, LED lighting and redecorated/re-carpeted throughout.
It features mainly open plan offices, with good natural light, gas fired central heating and air conditioning.
The property is offered for sale on a long leasehold basis.
The Debenhams store in North Street closed in May 2021 as the company collapsed after 242 years.
Ropemaker Properties applied to Somerset West and Taunton Council in December 2020 for planning permission to demolish the store and replace it with up to 92 apartments and flexible ground floor use, including shops with space for parking and associated landscaping.
A decision has yet to be taken by the council and the premises are currently boarded up.
More information on the sale of Bedford House can be viewed HERE.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here