Bank of Scotland Corporate - Historic hall transformed into vision of the future

Funding from Bank of Scotland Corporate has helped to reclaim the architectural impressiveness of a grade II listed building, developing the once derelict Oddfellows Hall in Ashton to 16 beautifully designed town-centre apartments and an 80 square metre retail space. The £2.5million redevelopment project, of which £1.75million was provided by Bank of Scotland Corporate, was also supported by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund, together with a grant from Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.
Niall Malone of Rock Park acquired the deteriorating 1855 hall three years ago and has overseen the transformation of the building into sought-after luxury apartments. Once a prominent landmark of the town centre, the building suffered a partial collapse in 1998 forcing its former grandeur to decline to an empty structure, in urgent need of restoration funding.
Experienced property developer Niall Malone saw the commercial potential and redevelopment opportunity within Oddfellows Hall and as an existing Bank of Scotland Corporate customer, entrusted the bank to provide funding for the restoration project to begin. Rock Park has carefully restored the internal structure of the building to develop a contemporary living space but also ensure that the hall’s original appearance would be respected and maintained, marking the redevelopment as a significant regeneration milestone for Ashton-under-Lyne.
Niall utilised the project funding to rebuild and restore the outer structure of the building, and to create the 16 individually designed apartments, which include nine one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom units, of which three are roof-top penthouses. As well as providing an ideal commercial space on the ground level of the building, the luxury apartments will be available for letting from April when the official redesign of the hall is unveiled in the building’s re-launch.
Niall Malone compliments the flexibility of the bank’s funding in realising the potential of the hall and feels its supportive attitude to Rock Park’s property development aspirations have forged a strong working relationship. Niall comments: “The response I receive from Bank of Scotland Corporate is always extremely positive as they see the potential of property projects and can clearly see my vision for their redevelopment. By supporting the Oddfellows Hall redevelopment, they have sustained the complete restoration of the hall to create commercial space and modern residential units, as well as transforming a former local eyesore into something Ashton can be proud of for years to come.
David Booth from Bank of Scotland Corporate in Manchester adds: “Bank of Scotland Corporate recognised Rock Park’s ambitious redevelopment plans to completely revolutionalise a landmark which had lost its former glory, and value Niall’s entrepreneurial vision in the property sector. The funding from the bank has managed to provide a substantial commercial and residential investment for Rock Park, as well as significantly contributing to the regeneration of the Tameside Borough. Funding has rejuvenated the existing Oddfellows Hall, dramatically expanding its lifespan and creating a niche property offering.”

Email: Kymberley.Hill@bisslancaster.com