Historic hall show flat unveiled

From the archive, first published Saturday 31st Mar 2007.

The public has had its first glimpse of living on the site of one of Bradford's most historic and cherished landmarks.

Eastbrook Hall in Little Germany opened this weekend to reveal its showcase apartment, setting the style for the other 71 that will be released for sale in the autumn.

The 103-year-old former Methodist Church, once a place of worship to a 400-strong congregation, has been hailed by city centre regeneration boss Maud Marshall as the jewel in the crown of Little Germany'.

The chief executive of Bradford Centre Regeneration said the Eastbrook Hall development had a key role in a more modern, vibrant Bradford' signalling the city's future.

As the door to the show apartment was unlocked a steady stream of curious viewers were shown round by estate agent Stuart Illingworth.

He said: "We've already sold 20 although they won't be released until autumn. We're expecting lots of interest, particularly from professionals and investors."

One-bedroom apartments will sell from £80,000 with three-bed versions at around the £215,000 mark.

Bradford Council's regeneration member Councillor Andrew Mallinson has predicted the apartments will capture buyers' imagination.

He said: "City centre living is really taking off so no doubt the apartments will get snapped up very quickly."

Anyone wanting to look round the show apartment, at the back of the development in Chapel Street, can call in between 10am and 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Funding to make the scheme happen has been secured with help from English Partnerships, the National Regeneration Agency, Bradford Centre regeneration, Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward and Regen 2000 SRB partnership. It is also being supported by The Prince's Regeneration Trust.

Last year the facade of the Grade II listed building had to be taken down stone by stone after it became unstable.

All the stones were numbered as they were dismantled but are now being reassembled, as well as the hall's ornate cupola, in a task that amounted to the city's biggest every jigsaw puzzle.

But that has not been the only challenge thrown up during building work - contractors also discovered human remains on the site.

The bones, of a girl and a man, dated back to 1849 when the ground below the hall was used as a burial ground.

After a certificate for the removal of the bones was obtained, they were reburied during a special ceremony at Great Horton Methodist Church.

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