A PAIR of prominent York buildings have been acquired by a local property company as part of a multimillion-pound package of deals.

The Helmsley Group has added Gateway 1 at Holgate Park and Mill House in North Street to its syndicated property investment portfolio.

Langleys Solicitors, who acted for the group on these acquisitions and also on one in Southport, said they demonstrated the popularity of York for investment.

The total value of the deals came to more than £6.85 million.

The entire Gateway 1 property is let to Card Protection Plan (CPP) Ltd until March 2021.

York Press: Mill House

Mill House in North Street

Holgate Park is comprised of a series of modern office buildings just off Holgate Road. They were built on part of the site of the former York Carriageworks after the rail wagon and carriage-building operation there, which at one time employed thousands of local people, finally closed in 1996.

The site is close to the York Central ‘teardrop’ site, which is the subject of plans to create homes and office spaces.

York Press: CPP’s Holgate offices

CPP's premises at Holgate Park

The office premises at Mill House are let to a number of organisations including North Yorkshire Police, Carillion Plc and Colas Rail.

Mill House is an historic granary warehouse which was formerly occupied by City of York Council. After the council moved out the building was then subject of a £750,000 refurbishment.

The Southport acquisition is of premises where the ground floor is let to Barclays Bank until September 2026.

Langleys also acted for The Helmsley Group on the disposal of Zicon House, Leeds, for £2.8m. The property is expected to be converted to student accommodation.

Ian McAndrew, director at The Helmsley Group responsible for its syndicated property portfolio, said: “Both the York and Southport properties are valuable additions to our nationwide portfolio and will be held for long-term investment for clients of the Helmsley Group.”

Tim Cross, head of commercial property at Langleys, said: “We are pleased to support the Helmsley Group with the expansion of its holdings in York and the sale of Zicon House in Leeds.

“The new acquisitions further demonstrate the popularity of York for investment.”