Christie & Co bring to market chapel conversion with luxury letting rooms and event spaces

Built in 1896, The Wesleyan Chapel as it was formerly known took its inspiration from the beautiful baroque Italianate Church designs and lavish architecture of the late eighteenth century. In 2009 it was given a Grade II listed status, which has greatly informed the sympathetic restoration and conversion of the property into a distinctive historic and contemporary boutique Bed & Breakfast known as ‘The Chapel’. Due to its stunning design, the property has featured on numerous popular TV property shows including George Clarks Restoration Man, Salvage Hunters and Four in a Bed which the property won!

The Chapel enjoys a prime location just off Kings Road, within walking distance of the Stray, the conference centre and the town centre of Harrogate, a beautiful Victorian spa resort which dates back to the sixteenth century. Situated in the heart of Yorkshire, the historic town is the perfect base to explore the region and has been crowned the happiest place to live in England on several occasions.

The property also benefits from easy access to the business centres of Leeds, Bradford and York. The railway station connects with mainline stations in Leeds and York and provides frequent services to London Kings Cross and Edinburgh.

At the heart of this wonderful asset is the central drawing room, the original chapel amphitheatre. The striking space rises to a 50-foot atrium ceiling with stunning marble flooring, making it a popular spot for weddings and a range of corporate and private events.
 
The sandstone building also features six luxury en-suite bedrooms, two spacious reception rooms, one styled as a men’s smoking room and the other as a women’s boudoir and a charming breakfast kitchen upcycled with original church pews.

The current owners, Mark and Heidi Hinchliffe have made the decision to sell to pursue other projects overseas, presenting an extremely rare investment opportunity for a prospective purchaser to acquire an extraordinary piece of freehold historical architecture, in the desirable town of Harrogate. The property could be purchased as a business investment and carried on as a bed & breakfast, for a variety of alternative use developments such as a wedding and events venue, a care home or simply to live in as a residential home.

Mark comments, “It’s been a great honour looking after this stunning listed building, which has taken us on an incredible journey. We have met some amazing people while being the custodians of this remarkable building and it has been a pleasure to be a part of the Harrogate independent community. The area will remain close to our hearts; however it is now time for us to embark on a new chapter.”

Having been operated as a guesthouse business on a relaxed and intimate low-key trading basis, there is an opportunity for the prospective purchaser to drive the business forward by increasing trade by joining all major booking websites and exploring additional income streams.

Sam Ashton, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co is handling the sale and adds, “The Chapel is stunning from all angles and as a Harrogate resident myself, it is a real pleasure to be representing the sale of such quality in my home town. The property truly is a unique investment opportunity open to a diverse buyer pool including residential homeowners, guesthouse bed & breakfast operators and for special events, wedding and multi-function businesses. We look forward to engaging with prospective purchasers as soon as possible.”

The Chapel is on the market with a guide price of £1,495,000 for the freehold.

 
For further information on this press release, contact:
Bronte Hughes, Corporate Communications Executive
P: 020 72270794 or E: bronte.hughes@christie.com
 
Contact the agent:
Sam Ashton, Senior Business Agent – Licensed & Hospitality
P: +44 (0) 7701 315 069 or E: sam.ashton@christie.com
 
Dave Lee, Regional Director - North East & East Midlands
P: +44 (0)7764 241 337 or E: david.lee@christie.com