Leading Northern property firm, Bradley Hall, has been appointed to manage the sale of one of Sunderland’s most iconic heritage buildings – Old Simpson Street School.
Leading Northern property firm, Bradley Hall, has been appointed to manage the sale of one of Sunderland’s most iconic heritage buildings – Old Simpson Street School.
The Grade II-listed building, originally constructed in 1867, is one of the city’s best-loved landmarks and presents investors or occupiers with a rare opportunity to acquire a premium, income-generating asset.
The Old Simpson Street School holds a prominent place in Sunderland's architectural and educational history. Originally opened in 1867 as Deptford Yard Church of England School, it later became Simpson Street Boys Board School and continued to serve various educational purposes for almost a century.
After closing its doors as a school in 1961, the Victorian building fell into disrepair and remained a derelict site until its current occupiers, award-winning architectural and engineering firm, Building Design Northern (BDN), purchased it in 2020 and embarked on a large-scale renovation to preserve its character, while modernising it for contemporary commercial and residential use.
Today, Old Simpson Street School comprises approximately 275 sqm of premium office space and eight stylish loft apartments.
BDN’s renovation has ensured that many of the building’s original architectural features have been preserved, including Victorian sash windows, vaulted ceilings, intricate masonry and external stonework, all of which help to retain the site’s historical character.
These ornate details blend seamlessly with the building’s modern commercial office space, which has been refurbished to the highest specification and is equipped with an energy-efficient air source heating system.
Standout features include a spacious main office, complete with a double-height ceiling and flooded with natural light, a large boardroom with panoramic views and an attractive reception area with a bespoke open fire.
Elsewhere, the site is home to eight loft apartments, several of which have earned accolades, including Airbnb Superhost status and Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, underscoring the building’s attractiveness for short-term lets.
Designed by award-winning architects, each one is designed with a minimalist, industrial-inspired aesthetic, complemented by original features, such as original stonework, that hark back to the building’s early years.
The units – five of which feature mezzanine floors - champion open plan living, complete with sleek, high-spec kitchens and a host of high-quality fixtures and fittings throughout.
Outside, Old Simpson Street offers spacious rear and side courtyards, along with ample unallocated free parking.
For those using public transport, the site is conveniently located near local transport routes via Metro and bus via Parklane terminal, as well as the city’s newly-redeveloped railway station.
For those travelling from afar, the site’s central location – just north of the A183 and west of the Wearmouth Bridge, offering convenient access to the A1231 and the A19 - is unmatched, providing commercial tenants and residential renters with excellent connectivity to wider areas in the region.
It also lies within close proximity to some of the Sunderland’s key landmarks, including the city’s new £450 million Crown Works film studios, Sunderland Royal Hospital and the University of Sunderland – all of which can be reached on foot.
The city’s new Eye Hospital, as well as the sustainable Maker & Faber office buildings at Riverside Sunderland, are also nearby.
Helen Wall, director of Bradley Hall Sunderland, said: "Old Simpson Street School represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a truly remarkable building that perfectly balances Sunderland's rich history with the needs of today’s investors.
“The property’s blend of historical significance and contemporary design has earned it several accolades, cementing its place as a sought-after destination for both businesses and residents.
“Offering strong existing income streams and benefiting from a prime location in a rapidly growing city, as well as a rich heritage, Old Simpson Street School presents an exceptional investment opportunity and we look forward to welcoming interested parties to view the property to get a true feel for how fantastic it is.”
Rick Marsden, managing director of BDN, added: "The growth we have seen at BDN has been rapid and we’ve already announced plans to expand our base in Ulverston, with the acquisition of a former police station, to ensure we have room for a larger team in the Lakes.
“We have found ourselves in the same position in Sunderland, with the building we’re in no longer large enough to accommodate our team. We have explored the option of converting other parts of the school to office space to give us more capacity, but the reality is that we have outgrown the school and it’s time for us to move on.
“We’ve started the search for a new base, which will create more capacity for us to expand, and the School being on the market will allow us the chance to find a new custodian of this fantastic building, while unlocking our capacity for continued growth.
