Developing and Investing
In 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, Rosalind G. Fifield is Finance Director and 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, but the Company retains the freehold of the land within its investment portfolio.
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. 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 has recently been 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.
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 investments 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 34 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 with Osborne House retaining 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, with Osborne House retaining the freehold reversion. Planning consent was obtained in 2017 for 9,000 sq. ft of additional offices.
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. Osborne House retain the investment.
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 Oxford Road.
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 x2 bed).
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 and investment company, working creatively on its own, or in partnership with financiers or landowners to maximise inherent value.
Enquiries to: john.fifield@osbornehousegroup.com
