£1.3m new lease of life at waterside landmark

The way it was: Waterfront House pictured in 1903. The building, owned by the Equitable Industrial Society, (the forerunner of the Co-op), served as a coal depot, bakery and bacon factory. It was vacated by the society in the 1970s

York-based William Birch & Sons, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, acted as designer and main contractor on the nine-month contract to convert the building on the banks of the Ouse.

Vacated by the Co-op in the 1970s, Waterfront House has been converted into 19 apartments situated on four floors. The development also includes an exclusive penthouse suite with "state-of-the-art" design.

The building has been central to the commercial life of the city since it was opened as a coal depot and wharf by the Equitable Industrial Society (the forerunner of the Co-op) in 1899.

Four years later it was extended to house a bacon factory and bakery, supplying 482,096 loaves of bread and 1,161,056 pastries a year. The site also housed a sophisticated stable facility for 30 horses.

During the 1970s the buildings were utilised as warehouses and offices before a London developer, Knight Frank, transformed them into luxury apartments, starting at £80,000 and rising to £350,000 for the penthouse.

David Field, contract manager at William Birch & Sons, said: "As a firm which was contracted to build shops for the Equitable Industrial Society when they occupied this building, it's fantastic to be connected with them again in this anniversary year.

"Although we have made sophisticated alterations to the interior of the building we have endeavoured to maintain the character of the building in the facade. It's a great pleasure to be involved with such an important landmark in York's history."

Sale of the properties will be managed by Knight Frank and Langleys Friends estate agents.

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