Property Features
- Iconic hotel in the centre of Forres
- Fantastic redevelopment or development opportunity
- 0.61 acres (approx)
- 2 bars, 7 letting bedrooms, 3 bed flat, function hall with bar and further bar.
Property Summary
THE OPPORTUNITYComprising 2 adjoining freehold properties sat within a 0.61 acre site, the opportunity exists to renovate the hotel and function rooms or to redevelop the properties into a number of alternative uses including residential, retail and hotel.
Unconditional offers are sought for this superb freehold development opportunity. The site would be suitable for a variety of uses subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
THE PROPERTY
On offer are 2 adjoining freehold properties situated on the corner of Nairn Road and Tytler Street in the centre of Forres:
Property 1: The Victoria Hotel, with 2 bars, 7 letting bedrooms, 3 bedroom flat and a function hall with a further bar. Adjacent car park. Approx. 1,140 square metres.
Property 2: The Jubilee Hall, previously used for commercial use but has been vacant for several years. Approx. 124 square metres.
The properties occupy a site area of 0.61 acres.
Victoria Hotel: The Victoria hotel is an iconic building in the centre of Forres. It is laid out over 3 main floors in addition to the cellar and attic. The ground floor offers 2 bar areas and a substantial function hall with a further bar. The hotel offices, kitchens and storage are also located on the ground floor. The 1st and 2nd floors accommodate the 7 letting rooms and 3 bedroom owners flat.
The main building is of traditional sandstone construction beneath a series of pitched roofs clad in slate incorporating dormer projections. The single storey projection to the rear of the hotel appears to be of traditional stone construction beneath a pitched roof clad in corrugated fibre cement sheeting. Internally flooring within the property is a mixture of solid concrete and suspended timber design with walls and ceilings being a mixture of plasterboard lined, timber panelling, textured coating and suspended acoustic tiles.
Natural lighting within the property is provided by timber framed single glazed window units.
The property has mains water, drainage, electricity and gas. Heating is provided by a gas fired central heating boiler fuelling wall mounted radiators throughout the property, supplemented by wall mounted electric heaters. The Victoria Hotel has a gross internal area of 1,138.17 square metres (12,251 square feet) of accommodation
Jubilee Hall:
The Jubilee Hall comprises a detached single storey hall which has been partitioned internally to
form individual rooms used as a store. They appear to be constructed of single leaf timber frame construction clad externally in concrete panels beneath a pitched roof clad in corrugated metal sheeting. Internally, flooring appears to be suspended timber design with walls and ceilings mainly plasterboard lined throughout. The Hall has mains water, drainage and electricity with heating within the property provided by wall mounted electric heaters throughout. The Jubilee Hall has a gross internal area of 124.25 square metres (1,337 square feet) of accommodation.
The site is strategically positioned at a roundabout on the two main roads into Forres in close proximity to Forres High Street, major supermarkets such as Tesco and LIDL, the train station (which lies on the main Aberdeen to Inverness route) and bus stops.
THE LOCAL AREA
Forres is a popular town with an eclectic population influenced by decades of the RAF, now Army, base at nearby Kinloss and also the Findhorn Foundation, a well-established community with multiple residences and facilities in both Forres and Findhorn. Additionally the Glasgow School of Arts has recently developed a remote campus at Altyre Estate, approximately 1 miles south of Forres.
From a geographical perspective, Forres sits in an ideal location, nestled between the Cairngorm Mountain range and the expansive white beaches of the Moray Firth. It offers easy access to a vast arrange of outdoor activities including sailing, horse riding, mountain biking, white water rafting, cycling and skiing. Forres is seen as a highly desirable location to move to with low rates of crime and a pleasant, temperate climate. It has experienced a significant uptick in population over recent years with relocations from more densely populated areas throughout the UK.
The site is situated in a superb central location. Despite its character as a semi-rural residential area, Forres is home to several major corporate occupiers in the nearby Enterprise Park. Most recently Orbex, the company responsible for mission control of the Highland rocket launches set up headquarters and a factory to build launch vehicles in the Moray town this year, having already been using it for engine tests and flight simulation. Kura, Atos and Gael Force are amongst other small and medium-sized firms that play a large part in the growing business activity of Forres.
Forres benefits from good transport links throughout the North East and lies on the main thoroughfare from Aberdeen to Inverness. Train services to Edinburgh and Glasgow are frequent and daily flights to London Gatwick from Inverness, some 25 miles to the East, make Forres within easy access from London and the South.