Property for sale in The Prince Consort, 19 St. Thomas Street, Ryde, Isle Of Wight PO33

Enjoying a stunning location on the seafront at Ryde, overlooking the Solent, the Prince Consort building was formerly known as the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and was built at a cost of £4,500 and completed in 1847, with the foundation stone having been laid by Prince Albert in the spring of the previous year. Unable to enter the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes, which was a male-only establishment, Queen Victoria effectively set up the Royal Victoria Yacht Club as a rival.

The Yacht Club was based in the building until 1966, after which it has had a varied history, having initially traded as a restaurant. In more recent years, the upper two floors have been converted into stunning apartments enjoying wonderful views and the convenience of a town centre location. The lower two floors were last in use as a call centre but have lain vacant for some years.

The freehold of the building is now offered for sale with scope and potential to bring the lower two floors back into meaningful use. Previous, though now lapsed, Planning Permissions were achieved in 2016 for conversion of the ground floors with both residential and commercial options and usage.

Local Planning Authority
Isle of Wight Council. Tel: Website:

Lapsed Planning
Planning Permission was granted by Isle of Wight Council under ref: P/01130/15, dated 29th April 2016, for proposed internal and external alterations, to include replacement of access gates, to refurbish lower ground floor offices and to convert part of lower ground floor and ground floor to a residential unit (revised scheme) (revised description), subject to conditions.

Planning Permission was granted by Isle of Wight Council under ref: Tcpl/24772/P0000705/02 for conversion of the upper ground floor into a single residential unit and refurbishment of ground floor offices, subject to conditions.

These consents were not actioned and have now lapsed.

Accommodation
The lower two floors have most recently been in commercial usage as a call centre and supporting offices but include on the ground floor the grand reception, being the triple-aspect reception room overlooking the Solent, formal reception, state room and a range of smaller rooms, including kitchens, ladies’ and gents’ cloakrooms and ancillary offices. The lower ground floor offers a further range of offices and supporting infrastructure.

First Floor Apartment
Sold on a 999-year lease from 1st December 2001 at a current ground rental of £100 per annum.

Top Floor Penthouse Apartment
Sold on a 999-year lease from 1st December 2001 at a current ground rental of £100 per annum.

Outside
Car parking to the front, and walled garden to rear which includes additional car parking accessed via the adjoining car park, subject to a licence arrangement.

Auctioneer’s Note
Vehicular access to the walled garden/car park is subject to a 125 year lease from 14th November 2002, at a current rental of £2,400 per annum.

Tenure
The freehold is to be offered, with the first floor and penthouse level apartments sold on a long leasehold basis, paying a combined ground rental of £200 per annum and contributing to the management and maintenance of the building.

Commercial EPC: E

Important:
All lots are sold subject to the Common Auction Conditions and Special Conditions of Sale (unless varied by the Sellers Solicitors), together with the Addendum, which will be available on the Auction Day.

Price Information
*Guides are provided as an indication of each Seller's minimum expectation. They are not necessarily figures at which a property will sell for and may change at any time prior to Auction. Unless stated otherwise, each Lot will be offered subject to a reserve (a figure below which the Auctioneer cannot sell the Lot during the Auction). We expect the reserve will be set within the guide range or no more than 10% above a single figure guide. Please check our website regularly at , or contact us on , in order to stay fully informed with the up-to-date information.

*An Administration fee and Other non-optional fees may also be payable in addition to the bid price. All lots are offered subject to the Common Auction Conditions and Special Conditions of Sale or Revised Special Conditions of Sale (as applicable) and may include the repayment of search and other fees and or costs payable by the buyer. All buyers are advised to inspect all available legal documentation prior to bidding and will be deemed to fully understand what they may be liable for if they are successful in purchasing. This should also include Stamp Duty, Land Registry fees and VAT which may become payable on completion in line with any property transaction, whether it is by auction or private treaty. If, as a buyer, you are in doubt you should seek advice from your own professional advisors. For more information on fees please go to