Developing
Commercial and Residential property
Tel: 01606 351 351
Osborne House was founded by Chairman, John G. Fifield, FRICS, in 1984, originally in Manchester. Edward G. Fifield, BSc, FRICS is Managing Director, Charles G. Fifield FRICS is Company Secretary and Patrick C.J Holme, is a Non-Executive Director.
The Company was formed initially to enter into a Partnership Agreement with Vale Royal Borough Council (now Cheshire West & Chester) to develop part of a 160-acre office campus on the outskirts of Northwich, Cheshire, known as Gadbrook Park.
This site is extremely well-located, being 5 minutes’ drive-time from Junction 19 on M6 and about 20 minutes’ drive-time from Manchester Airport and Crewe Railway Station. Manchester City Centre is about 20 miles north-east, Liverpool 20 miles north, Chester 17 miles west, and Birmingham 70 miles south.
Since 1984, Osborne House has completed at Gadbrook Park more than 250,000 sq. ft. including the following occupiers: - Barclays Bank, The Hut Group, Roberts Bakery, Timberwise and Fifield Glyn Chartered Surveyors. Osborne House owns another 2.5 acres of land at Gadbrook Park ready for immediate development.
In June 1990, Osborne House completed the development of a 2.5-acre site, known as Hampton Court, Manor Park, Runcorn (5 minutes’ drive Junction 11 M56), to provide 31,000 sq. ft. offices in four separate buildings. The entire development was pre-let to the Department of Employment. All of the buildings have subsequently been sold to investors on a long leasehold basis. Osborne House Group retains the freehold of the land.
In 1996 Osborne House purchased from Receivers Belasis Business Centre at Billingham, Teesside. It was a purpose-built service office complex of about 60,000 sq. ft on a 7.5-acre site. It housed about 70 companies, a bistro, a shop, and conference facilities. There were considerable voids and areas of undeveloped land.
Osborne House sold Belasis Business Centre to Northern Office Investments Limited in 2003.
In January 1997, Osborne House acquired from Receivers, a former 9-hole golf course with a Club House and 37 acres. Planning consent was obtained on part for residential development and sold to Taylor Wimpey. The Club House and about 7 acres was sold to a local electrical company. Osborne still owns about 25 acres with further development potential where planning consent has been outline for 325,000 sq.ft of B8 warehousing.
In May 1993 Osborne House formed a joint company with British Linen Properties PLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Scotland), known as Osborne Assets Ltd. In July 1993, the company acquired two multi-let modern office developments from English Partnerships - Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn and Midwood House, Gerrard Street, Widnes. The buildings total 37,000 sq. ft. In April 1995, Howard Court was sold to its principal tenant, Hyder PLC/Welsh Water. Midwood House was converted in May 2018 into 33 Residential Studios with potential to add a further 23 Residential Studios.
In August 1994, the company acquired North Lynn Business Village, King's Lynn, which is a multi-let office development, totalling 9,000 sq. ft. Most of the buildings have now been sold on 999-year Leases Osborne House retains the freehold.
In November 1994, Osborne Assets acquired 12 O’clock Court, Attercliffe Road, Sheffield which, again, is a multi-let courtyard office development, totalling 28,000 sq. ft. The buildings have been sold long leasehold to private investors. Planning consent was obtained in 2017 for 9,000 sq. ft of additional offices, a subsequent Residential application was refused. Osborne House are now considering a further application for a Roadside Scheme. Osborne House retains the freehold.
In January 2000 Osborne House acquired the British Linen Shareholding and consequently Osborne Assets Ltd is now a wholly owned subsidiary.
Osborne House completed a 156-space car park for Barclays at Gadbrook Park in September 2008. Barclays took a 15-year FRI lease. Pending a sale negotiations proceeded with Barclays for an extension, but Barclays withdrew as they decided to move from Gadbrook Park. Osborne House are now considering various alternatives for the 1.5 acre property.
In October 2017 Osborne House acquired the freehold of Oxford Court in central Manchester comprising of 19 offices buildings totalling 64,000 sq. ft
(5,945.79 sqm) in a courtyard style with 96 car spaces. The island site extends to 1.7 acres and is located within the prime office cove district and within immediate proximity to St Peters Square. The property was sold in June 2023 to one of the Long Leaseholders.
In September 2019 Osborne House acquired the freehold of Regent House, Wrexham. The property is situated on the fringe of Wrexham town centre close to the Glyndwr University and Wrexham railway station. The property comprises of 17,600 sq. ft of ground floor retail/ office units with three floors of office units above and has onsite parking for 30 cars. The property has outline planning consent for part conversion of the upper floors and part new development of 24 residential units (6x1 bed and 18 x 2 bed). The building is being refurbished and upgraded. Tenants include HRMC, Maximus, Pappa Johns and Peppe Chicken.
Overall, Osborne House has developed or acquired around £25m of commercial property since 1984, and the value of its portfolio currently stands at about £10m. Osborne House is a highly motivated, well managed and efficient property development company, working creatively on its own, or in partnership with financiers or landowners to maximise inherent value.
