ONE of York's best-known buildings is to be transformed in a £4 million development.

Pocklington-based development company The Helmsley Group has bought the former House & Sons electrical shop in Blake Street.

Two new retail units and residential flats, with views of The Assembly Rooms and York Minster, are what could be in store for the landmark building - if planning chiefs give the go-ahead.

Opened in 1924, when the city electrical firm moved to Blake Street, the building includes 3,000sq ft of ground floor retail space as well as warehousing, workshops and office space.

It was modernised as part of House & Son's 70th birthday celebrations in 1973, but the shop closed in July, 2004.

The Helmsley Group has teamed up with Dorset firm Evershot Construction to revitalise the building, with the property company promising a "sensitive refurbishment".

Ian McAndrew, associate director with the building company, said: "We are delighted to have acquired this wonderful, landmark building in the heart of York and we are very excited about the sensitive refurbishment of such an historic building.

"We are consulting with architects and developing proposals which currently include reverting the ground floor into two shop units with residential accommodation above and to the rear, where the residents will be able to appreciate the magnificent views of York Minster and the Assembly Rooms.

"The property has real character and charm and has been influenced throughout its history, from its construction in mediaeval times with its timber frames, to Georgian and Victorian detail and even some 1960s influences.

"We believe that to develop such a historic site for the future is best served by retaining the fine elements of its past and incorporating them into a design that makes it viable for its future."

The Helmsley Group, which is also involved in a scheme for Lendal Tower, will be submitting listed building consent and a planning application in the next three months, with the development expected to take a year to complete.

Andrew Hedley, of property consultants Blacks, which was appointed to sell the building, said the sale took under four weeks.

"Following inspections by a couple of dozen parties the tender closed and a sale occurred within four weeks", he said.

"The sale demonstrated once again the interest that any retail property in the city centre creates despite the pessimistic reports relating to the retail sector.

"While the retail,warehouse,office property was offered for sale, it was clear that there were several potential occupiers for the retail space which I hope might be made available by the new owners."

Updated: 09:38 Wednesday, August 10, 2005