Victorian landmark gets new lease of life
10:18am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in Business News
By Andy Richardson
From left, Chris Preston, Andy Preston, Kevin Mann and Rachel Burns
A VICTORIAN landmark has been transformed into a state of the art business hub following a £1m refurbishment.
The former Cleveland Club, which was once the National Provincial Bank, has reopened as Gibson House at Boho Four, offering prestigious office space in the town’s Boho zone.
Built in 1872, the Grade II-listed building has been renovated by Middlesbrough-based Green Lane Capital, run by brothers Andy and Chris Preston.
Just three months after the completion of the two-year restoration, 50 per cent of Boho Four’s 17 offices have been let, and Andy Preston is confident the remainder will be quickly snapped up.
“It’s a landmark building, full of character,” he said. “When it came on the market, I was sure, with a sympathetic restoration, there’d be lots of interest because people like to work in
interesting buildings, and that’s exactly how it has proved.”
After renaming the building Gibson House after architect John Gibson, who designed it and worked alongside Sir Charles Barry on the Houses of Parliament, it was decided to link it with the Boho
zone, the town’s creative and digital area.
It means occupants of the old building enjoy all of the reception, networking, meeting room and cafe facilities at the nearby Boho One building.
Andy Preston continued: “We decided to tie this magnificent, regal old building in with Boho, so that businesses can get all the advantages of the old and the new.
“We spent a huge amount of money to ensure we sustained one of Middlesbrough’s true treasures, but I think we’ve created something of extraordinary value to the town.
“At the same time, it’s a state-of-the-art business base, offering superfast broadband, wi-fi, free parking and a fitness suite.”
The facilities are appreciated by technology entrepreneurs Park End-born Kevin Mann and Rachel Burns from Consett, co-founders of new business Audacious.
Launched late in 2010, the five-strong business was among the first to move into the building when making the switch from Boho One at the start of May.
Ms Burns said: “There’s such a rich heritage to the Boho Four building and both Andy and Chris are so respectful to the town’s history.”
Built on the site of the home of John Gilbert Holmes, one of Middlesbrough’s first shipbuilders, Gibson House at Boho Four began life as the National Provincial Bank in the 19th Century.
In a nod to the town’s industrial heritage, the impressive portico above the original entrance features a sculpture of Britannia with an ironworker and a miner.
The building was renamed the Cleveland Club in 1948 when it became a gentleman’s club at what was then the heart of the town’s bustling commercial centre.
But it had long since fallen into disrepair when Green Lane Capital purchased it in 2010, having been used as a retail and storage facility for many years.
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