From 'eyesore to asset' council-owned Crown Apartments ready for tenants

Crown House on Bridge Street had stood derelict for more than 25 years, but now, house-hunters are visiting and preparing to move into the 50 modern apartments that have been created there.

An investment of over £8m by Cherwell District Council has seen the building extended and remodelled from top to bottom.

Cherwell District Cllr Simon Holland said: "It had been derelict for years. It was an eyesore. It'd had a fire and was just sitting there as a ghastly mess. It was essential the council got control of it.

"I think what we've finally achieved is something good for Banbury. We've turned an eyesore into an asset.

"They're very good quality apartments, and there's a shortage of quality housing in Banbury."

The one and two-bedroom homes benefit from solar panels on the roof, communal outdoor space, and the train station just a short walk away. The Crown Apartments open up onto the town centre in Bridge Street across from the Castle Quay Shopping Centre.

The restoration of the prominent building was begun in 2017.

Cherwell District Council took the project on later that year, purchasing the company that owned the empty structure and investing in the works in progress.

The extension allowed Cherwell to add a further 14 homes onto the 36 that were originally planned.

The apartment building has 29 parking spaces and infrastructure for electric charging points.

Cllr Lynn Pratt, lead member for economy, regeneration and property, said: “This is another important step forward for Cherwell’s regeneration of Banbury town centre. Crown House has always had great potential, and we’ll start to see that realised as people start to make these fantastic new apartments their home.

“It will add to the buzz and vitality of the town to see the building brought back into use, and alongside Castle Quay Waterfront, it’s another important piece of the jigsaw of our plans for securing the future of Banbury town centre.”

For a look at what the apartments look like on the inside or anyone interested in renting they can go through estate agents Centrick with the following web link: https://centrick.co.uk/property/?wppf_location=banbury&wppf_search=to-rentThe first residents are expected to move in to Crown House at the end of the month.