Auction Guide Price - £550,000 - £600,000 plus fees.
The property is to be offered online by Clive Emson Auctioneers on 26 July 2023

To register to bid, view legal documentation or for general auction enquiries please contact the auctioneers or visit their website cliveemson.co.uk

Tucked away behind a sweeping driveway, Richmond Manor is a gracious Victorian residence set on the hillside above Torquay's town commanding wide views over the surrounding area to the sea at Tor Bay. The lawned garden provides remarkable privacy for a period town villa, taking advantage of the southerly aspect. Currently arranged as owners accommodation and seven studio/one bedroom units, the building now requires restoration and remodelling, presenting an opportunity to create a fine home, residential conversion, or commercial venture (subject to necessary consents).
Richmond Manor stands in the heart of Torquay, with the town centre at the base of the hill and the harbour and sea front promenade beyond.

OWNERS INSIGHT

"When our family first saw Richmond Manor over 35 years ago, we were captivated by its Victorian grandeur and commanding position. High on top of one of Torquay’s seven hills, this villa can be seen from miles around, and we always loved its extremely light and high-ceilinged rooms, the graceful sweeping staircase and the views of the sea from ground an upper levels. Believed to have been built by Lord Haldon in the mid 1860s, this house has retained its majestic ambience over the years, allowing the owners to live in some splendour while benefitting from the income from a holiday and permanent lettings. Now that the time has come to pass this property on to the next generation, we feel that it has so much versatility for the new owners, perhaps creating one fantastic family house, and an additional house around the servants’ stairway, or for a developer to continue a successful property business with larger, luxury units."

STEP INSIDE

OPEN PORCH with decorative tiled floor and panelled door opening to the VESTIBULE and striking RECEPTION HALL with elegant turned staircase.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION & GROUND FLOOR FLATS

Private RECEPTION HALL accessed from both the communal entrance and garden. DRAWING ROOM featuring ornate plasterwork to the ceiling, decorative cornice and ceiling rose. Bay window overlooking the attractive walled gardens with window shutters. DINING ROOM overlooking the gardens and KITCHEN leading off. DOUBLE BEDROOM, originally one of the reception rooms and still retaining the elegant cornice work and ceiling rose. EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM. Further RECEPTION ROOM once utilised by the family as a billiards room, with EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM. Boiler room housing two Vaillant gas fired boilers and Gledhill cylinder. Access to the CELLARAGE with exposed stone floor. THE LAURELS is a STUDIO with separate SHOWER ROOM. Moving through to what was originally the servants quarters, to MORNINGSIDE, a STUDIO with SHOWER ROOM, aptly named for the morning sun.

STEP UPSTAIRS

The elegant staircase rises to the generous first floor landing with octagonal roof lantern over the half landing, and door head crest enscribbed with latin wording "Vincit cum legibus arma - He conquers arms with laws". BRIGHTLIGHTS is a studio flat, aptly named for its westerly aspect and view over Torquay taking in the sea at Tor Bay, Corbyn Head Beach and Paignton Pier across to the Marldon hills. SEASCAPE is a one bedroom flat, again named for its sea view with the principal room facing a westerly aspect and the bedroom enjoying a southerly aspect. Further STUDIO FLAT with marble fireplace and kitchenette, and ONE BEDROOM FLAT, both sharing a bathroom. On the half landing is a further BATHROOM, and access to the servants wing. TREETOPS is a one bedroom flat using the shared bathroom. HILLSIDE is a one bedroom flat with bathroom. From the the servant wing stairs continue to the second floor level with TWO FURTHER ROOMS.

THE COACH HOUSE

Independent from the main house, THE COACH HOUSE, with private front door is a one bedroom unit with separate kitchen. This unit could easily be reinstated into the main house.

STEP OUTSIDE

A sweeping driveway leads to the main parking area and DETACHED PITCHED ROOF GARAGE. Access around both elevations to the primary south facing garden, mainly laid to lawn with GARDEN ROOM. The garden features a mature magnolia, fig tree and an abundance of roses with mature hedged and walled boundaries screening the garden and giving a high degree of privacy for the town environment.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Gas Central Heating from two independent gas boilers Council Tax - All flats are Band 'A' (Torbay Council) EPC’s - D 65, E 53, D 67, D 60, D 56, D 56, E 51, D 60.

OUR AREA

Torquay is nestled on the warm South Devon coast being one of three towns along with Paignton and Brixham which form the natural east facing harbour of Torbay, sheltered from the English Channel. Torbay's wide selection of stunning beaches, picturesque coastline, mild climate and recreational facilities reinforce why it has rightfully earned the renowned nickname of the English Riviera.

TORQUAY IS WELL CONNECTED

By Train: Torquay Train Station has some direct lines to London Paddington and Birmingham and is just one stop from the main line Newton Abbot. By Air: Exeter Airport provides both UK and international flights. By Sea: Torquay Marina provides a safe haven for boats in all weathers, sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds. Regional Cities of Exeter & Plymouth approximately 22 miles and 32 miles respectively. Magnificent Dartmoor National park approximately 12 miles.

DIRECTIONS

SAT NAV - TQ1 3JB. WHAT3WORDS - deed.hurls.cases SAT NAV: TQ1 3JB. From our office in St Marychurch turn left and head down Manor Road. At the traffic lights continue straight ahead into St Marychurch Road and continue through Plainmoor shops. On reaching Hatfield Cross, continue straight ahead over the mini roundabout, taking the next turning on the left hand side into Ash Hill Road, with Richmond Manor being found a short distance along on the left hand side.

Garden

Large south facing garden.

Parking - Garage

Parking - On Drive