Old quarry office proves a gold mine - reaching almost half a million at auction

A former quarry office in Newlyn proved to be a gold mine at auction when it sold for nearly half a million pounds.

It went for £456,000 when the gavel finally fell – nearly double its freehold guide price of £230,000 plus.

The detached building, known as The Old Quarry Office, was among 150 lots listed in the latest auction held by Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers.

In a secluded location off Fore Street, it formerly served Penlee Quarry. It has eight rooms on its ground floor and a large open plan room with a door to a flat roof area on its first floor. Its site extends to about 0.09 hectares (0.23 acres).

Senior Auction Appraiser Katie Semmens said: “There was fierce bidding for this lot before it sold for an incredible £226,000 above its guide.

“It clearly captured the imagination of bidders who were attracted by the exciting opportunity to acquire a commercial building in a secluded, elevated location with good sized grounds and fantastic views over Mount’s Bay.

“Now the new owner has variety of options before them, including the potential for commercial use as well as some form of ‘Grand Designs’ style residential development, all subject to the necessary consents.”

The Old Quarry Office was auctioned jointly with Marshall’s Estate Agents of Penzance.

Elsewhere in the auction, in the Redruth area a semi-detached house with three bedrooms in Glenview, Lanner Green, Lanner, sold for £101,500.

The house at Gleview, Lanner Green (Image: Clive Emson)

Katie said: “The new owner has acquired a property which sits on decent sized grounds with ample parking and a detached garage. “They have various options before them, including the creation of a lovely home post-works/re-build or a resale project, subject to the necessary consents.”

Land next to Hillside Road in the village of Carharrack, near Redruth, fetched £12,000 when the hammer fell.

In a residential location, it extends to 0.03 hectares (0.07 acres) including a shed/store. It was listed with a freehold guide of £11,000 plus.

Clive Emson Auctioneers holds auctions eight times a year. The next auction, the fourth for this year, ends on June 12, with bidding going live 48 hours before. Lot entries close on May 20, with the catalogue available from May 24.