London's last piano factory is up for auction and the huge site is expected to fetch £6.25m
Prospective property buyers on the hunt for something a bit different can snap up a piano factory or old boarding school house.
On Wednesday, London's last piano factory is up for auction via Savills. The entire site is vast, spanning over 25,000 sq.ft.
It houses the family-run J.Reid Piano Factory & Outlet and has serious scope for development.
Alternatively, also going up for auction is a grand Grade II-listed former boarding school currently used as a four-bedroom family home.
As well as once being a girl's boarding school, the Grade II-listed property, located in Southsea, was also previously a headquarters base for the police and a social services office.
This is Money takes a closer look at the two properties going under the hammer.
London piano factory - guide price £6.25m
What a history: London's last piano factory is up for auction on Wednesday 11 December
Guide price: The piano factory in London has an auction guide price of £6,250,000
Scope: The massive plot on offer via auction at Savills in December
Legacy: The site is home to the family-run J.Reid Piano Factory & Outlet
Potential: The site could be used as a school, residential homes or community centre
Buyers looking for something a bit different can snap up a former piano factory in Seven Sisters, London.
Internally, the property, which is currently home to London's last piano factory, spans 17,501 sq ft, and the entire site, including car park and yard, covers 25,493 sq. ft.
The colossal site is going up for auction via Savills with a guide price of £6,250,000.
The main building was built in around 1830 and houses the family-run J.Reid Piano Factory & Outlet, encompassing the factory space and retail showroom.
At the rear, there are a number of ancillary workshops and industrial buildings. The main building is now the oldest on the road.
George Goucher, associate director at Savills, said: 'Having remained under the same family ownership for the past 70 years, the sale of the J. Reid Paino Factory marks an exciting opportunity for a prospective buyer to champion this rarely available site within the Seven Sisters/Stamford Hill area in North London.
'The original building dates back to circa 1830 and is a beautiful example of two-storey flat-fronted late Georgian architecture.
'Comprising retail, residential and workshop and industrial space, the asset offers plenty of scope for development or alternative uses, such as a school or community centre, which is likely to attract a wide pool of prospective bidders looking to take this property into its next phase.
'Paired with the curb appeal, history, freehold status, and significant size of this asset, I anticipate that this lot will garner motivated bidders and yield a strong result for our client.'
The site is being sold freehold and one of the buildings on site has planning permission in place for a two-storey rear extension to create six dwellings.
The whole plot has stacks of potential and, subject to getting planning permission, could be used as a school, community centre or more homes.
Southsea former boarding school - guide price £1.5m
Wow factor: 2 Brankesmere House in Southsea is going up for auction via Savills
Exquisite: One of the divine reception rooms at 2 Brankesmere House
It's a dog's life: The interior of the property is luxurious yet comfortable
Cosy: A spacious yet cosy bedroom at the property in Southsea, boasting period features
Luxury: A double sink oozes luxury in one of the property's bathrooms
Stunning: A grand living room leading through to an orangery
Perfection: A summer house and bathing pond means the property is ideal for get togethers
Use: The property in Southsea was previously a boarding school and police headquarters
Also going under the hammer via Savills on 28 January 2025 is a former girl's boarding school. The Grade II-listed property has a guide price of £1,500,000 and sits in a conservation area.
It was was built for and became the family home of Sir John Brickwood, proprietor of the Brickwoods brewing business.
The property was built in Victorian times, but heavily influenced by Jacobean, Tyrolean and French architectural styles.
It became a girl’s boarding school, a police headquarters and a social services office, before being divided into three dwellings.
The seller owns the south-west wing of the divided home, known as 2 Brankesmere House, as well as Brankesmere House, the central part. A buyer could purchase one or both properties.
2 Brankesmere House has four bedrooms and has been meticulously designed and decorated by the current owner. It has two reception rooms, a cinema room and an orangery.
Externally, the landscaped garden is south-west facing, offering space and privacy behind a high boundary wall.
A timber bridge leads to a summer house and a large natural bathing pool centred in front of the house.
