A NEW city centre office development is welcoming its first tenants following the £750,000 renovation of an historic granary mill.

East Yorkshire-based construction company Houlton invested the six figured sum on refurbishing the 16,000 sq ft Mill House in North Street by the banks of the River Ouse.

Following the refurbishment, North Yorkshire Police have signed a 30-year lease with Houlton for 4,000 sq ft of office space on the ground floor to be used as an administration base.

The Victorian property had latterly been home to City of York Council's human resources department.

York property consultancy Lawrence Hannah and London-based agency Behrens Sharp have been appointed to market the newly converted Mill House.

Miles Lawrence of Lawrence Hannah said: “The deal with North Yorkshire Police, which was concluded this week, is a ringing endorsement of the quality of the refurbishment of Mill House and its excellent location.

“The City of York Council had occupied Mill House since the late 1990s and inevitably it was in need of some tender loving care.

"The comprehensive refurbishment, which includes full air-conditioning, open plan offices, a brand-new reception area and lift, together with new kitchens and toilets, has created high-specification office space fit for the 21st century.

“Mill House’s location, within the heart of York city centre at the bottom of Micklegate with its junction to Bridge Street, is superb."

Mr Lawrence explained that there was 12,000 sq ft of office space available within the four-storey building.

He said: “There has already been strong interest in the remaining space at Mill House, which is not surprising, because this is a special building. The combination of modern offices, with flexible floorplates, within a classic historic setting is extremely attractive.

“York has traditionally not been very good at transforming its classic, period buildings into clean, modern open-plan offices. Mill House is an exception, and a remarkable one at that”.