Former Office and Retail Unit to be transformed into Luxury Home in Warwick

A former retail and office building in the centre of Warwick is being converted into a luxury family home after being bought by a local businessman.

Conor Smith purchased number four, Church Street, from a family trust for just under £400,000 after the property was marketed by commercial property agents D&P Holt.

Conor, who works in the construction industry, was successful in his planning application through Warwick District Council for change of use from commercial to residential and has now set about transforming the property.

He’s employing a range of local tradespeople to carry out the work and intends to spend around £100,000 to create a high-specification three-bedroom property for him and his family – which will have grown to four by the time they move in.  It will be a careful conversion of the Listed property with some existing features retained and Conor is hoping that they will be in by March.

“This is a real labour of love for me,” he said.  “Some people would walk into this building and see a mess and there is no way they could visualise turning it into a home.  I am the opposite.  I walked in and I could see the potential straight away and I knew exactly where I wanted everything to go.”  

As well as refurbishing the three-storey property, a small extension is being added to the rear of the home.

Conor added “We are looking at this being the family home for the next few years because we really do like it here in Warwick.  We’ve got a toddler and another baby on the way so we really are looking to settle here.  That said, we also have one eye on the future and we will be developing the home in such a way that will add to its value for when we do eventually come to sell in a few years’ time.  It’s all been very smooth so far – the Council have been good and D&P Holt have been helpful in moving the sale forward.”

Luke Hedderwick, of D&P Holt, said it was a good deal all round.  He said “The local family trust wanted to realise the capital in the property so decided to sell.  There was quite a bit of interest but we are delighted that we secured the deal with Conor and I’m keen to see how his plans progress.  It’s a beautiful location and it will make a lovely family home.”

Pictured: Conor Smith (left) with Luke Hedderwick of D&P Holt