Old Elvet, Durham, Durham, DH1 3HL

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY · FOR SALE VIA AUCTION
Lumsdon House is a handsome Grade II listed Georgian townhouse occupying one of Durham City’s most prestigious and tightly-held addresses. Extending to approximately 275 sq m (2,963 sq ft) of gross internal accommodation over three floors, the property offers a rare and exciting development opportunity, having secured supportive pre-application planning advice from Durham County Council for conversion into three self-contained residential apartments. The property further benefits from a substantial private car park with capacity for at least 8 vehicles — an exceptional and highly valuable asset in a city-centre location where parking commands a significant premium.

Headline Features
— Grade II listed Georgian townhouse of significant character and historic merit
— Approx. 275 sq m (2,963 sq ft) GIA arranged over ground, first and second floors
— Pre-application advice received – supported in principle for conversion to 3 self-contained flats (PREAPP/26/00029) dated 27th February 2026 subject to LA Permissions and LBC
— Further potential to enlarge add light well, create separate access for each flat and incorporate attic space to top floor unit.
— Private car park with space for at least 6 vehicles – a rare city-centre commodity
— Potential to generate additional income by sub-letting surplus parking spaces
— Premier Old Elvet position within the Durham City Conservation Area
— Walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, riverside and the city’s main retail core
— Outstanding transport links via Durham Station on the East Coast Main Line & Newcastle Airport

This elegant, tree-lined Georgian street sits within the Durham City Conservation Area, on the opposite bank of the River Wear to Durham Cathedral and Castle — together a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property is superbly placed for the city’s main retail core, with Durham’s Market Place, Saddler Street and Silver Street, the indoor market and Prince Bishops Place shopping centre all a few minutes’ walk via the historic Elvet Bridge. The celebrated riverside walks along the River Wear begin moments away.

The location is equally convenient for Durham University, making the finished scheme likely to appeal strongly to the professional, academic and student rental markets alike.

Location

Old Elvet is widely regarded as one of the most desirable and historic addresses in Durham City. This elegant, tree-lined Georgian street sits within the Durham City Conservation Area, on the opposite bank of the River Wear to Durham Cathedral and Castle — together a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property is superbly placed for the city’s main retail core, with Durham’s Market Place, Saddler Street and Silver Street, the indoor market and Prince Bishops Place shopping centre all a few minutes’ walk via the historic Elvet Bridge. The celebrated riverside walks along the River Wear begin moments away, winding past the boathouses toward Prebends Bridge with its iconic views of the Cathedral. Old Elvet is home to Durham Amateur Rowing Club (founded 1860) and St Cuthbert’s Society Boat Club, while nearby Green Lane Cricket Ground and the annual Durham Regatta add to the area’s sporting heri...

Accommodation

The building currently provides generous, well-proportioned accommodation over three floors. The ground floor (approx. 83 sq m / 896 sq ft) comprises a lounge (4.36m x 4.71m), dining room (4.74m x 3.82m), kitchen (1.62m x 3.91m), storage room (2.25m x 3.14m) and two W.C.s. The first floor (approx. 98 sq m / 1,058 sq ft) offers a master bedroom (5.91m x 4.53m), an impressive second bedroom with curved bay (6.08m x 4.79m), and two further bedrooms (4.53m x 3.02m and 2.26m x 2.23m). The second floor (approx. 94 sq m / 1,009 sq ft) provides four more bedrooms — the largest 5.98m x 4.13m — plus a W.C. and store. All measurements are approximate and for guidance only.

EPC

We await a copy of the energy performance certificate.

Tenure

Title Number: DU249444.
Tenure: Freehold
Address 19 Old Elvet, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3HL
Listing Grade II Listed (jointly listed with No. 18) – within the Durham City Conservation Area
Gross Internal Area Approx. 275 sq m / 2,963 sq ft excluding store and attic rooms
Current Use Office (Class E)
Proposed Use 3 self-contained residential units (subject to consent)
Parking Private car park – capacity for at least 8 vehicles
Local Authority Durham County Council

Development Opportunity

The property offers a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial listed building in the heart of Durham City with supportive pre-application advice already in place. Durham County Council's Full Pre-Application Advice Report (ref. PREAPP/26/00029, 27th February 2026) confirms that the proposed change of use from office to three self-contained residential units is acceptable in principle. The building was originally constructed as a house (possibly c.1764) and a return to residential use is viewed positively, with no external alterations required; the Highway Authority and Environmental Health Team raised no objection in principle.
Indicative proposed accommodation comprises:- Ground Floor Flat – approx. 68.06 sq m - First Floor Flat – approx. 92.88 sq m, accessed via the rear courtyard- Second Floor Flat – approx. 94.15 sq m
Note: A full application would require supporting documents (H...

Public Transport & Connectivity

Rail. Durham Railway Station, a short walk from the property, sits on the prestigious East Coast Main Line linking London with the North East and Scotland. LNER offers frequent direct trains to London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, with open-access operator Lumo providing further direct services, and Grand Central, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express and Northern adding connections to York, Leeds, Manchester and beyond. London is reachable in around three hours, Edinburgh in around two.
Air. Newcastle International Airport, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights, is within comfortable reach to the north via the Tyne and Wear Metro, with Teesside International Airport a further option to the south.
Bus. Durham benefits from an excellent, frequent bus network, with the city's bus station a short walk away serving County Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and surround...

Rateable Value

The current rateable value is £24,000 (1 April 2026 to present).

Sourced from VOA.

Private Car Park-A Rare City-Centre Asset

One of the property’s most compelling attributes is its private car park, with capacity for at least 6 vehicles. Off-street parking of this scale is exceptionally scarce within central Durham, where public parking is both limited and expensive, and where residential permits are heavily restricted. For an incoming developer or owner-occupier this represents a substantial value driver: not only does it materially enhance the appeal and marketability of each proposed apartment, but there is genuine potential to generate an additional income stream by sub-letting any surplus spaces to nearby residents, businesses, commuters or university staff. In a location where parking is at a premium, this is a benefit that should not be underestimated.

Additional Information

For further information please contact our office direct on , or alternatively via e-mail on commercial. . With regards to viewing the subject property, this is to be done strictly by appointment through Keith Pattinson Commercial department. Please contact us to arrange an internal inspection, or to register your interest.

Auctioneers Additional Comments

Pattinson Auction are referred to as The Auctioneer. This auction lot is being sold by either conditional (Modern) or unconditional (Traditional) auction terms and overseen by The Auctioneer. The method of auction sale and the applicable terms and conditions are found on the lot page of this property on The Auctioneers website. The property is available to view strictly by appointment only via any Marketing Agent or The Auctioneer. Please be aware that any enquiry, bid or viewing of the subject property will require your details to be shared between any marketing agent and The Auctioneer so that matters can be dealt with effectively. The property is being sold via a transparent online auction. To submit a bid, all bidders must adhere to a verification of identity process in line with Anti Money Laundering procedures. Bids can be submitted at any time and from anywhere.

Auctioneers Additional Comments

The advertised price is commonly referred to as a Starting Bid or Guide Price and is accompanied by a Reserve Price. The Reserve Price is confidential to the seller and The Auctioneer and will typically be within a range above or below 10% of the Guide Price or Starting Bid. These prices are subject to change. An auction can be closed at any time, with The Auctioneer permitting the property (the lot) to be sold prior to the end of the auction. A Legal Pack associated with this property is available to view upon request and contains details relevant to the legal documentation, enabling all interested parties to make an informed decision prior to bidding. The Legal Pack will also outline the buyers obligations and sellers commitments. It is strongly advised that you seek the counsel of a solicitor prior to proceeding with any property and/or Land Title purchase.

Auctioneers Additional Comments

In order to secure the property and ensure commitment from the seller, upon exchange of contracts the successful bidder will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit equivalent to 5% of the purchase price. The deposit will form part of the purchase price. A non-refundable reservation fee of up to 6% inc VAT (subject to a minimum fee which could be up to 7,200 inc VAT) is also payable upon agreement of sale. The Reservation Fee is in addition to the agreed purchase price, and consideration should be given by the purchaser to any Stamp Duty Land Tax liability associated with the overall purchase costs. Both the Marketing Agent and The Auctioneer may consider it necessary or beneficial to pass customer details to third-party service suppliers, from whom a referral fee may be received. There is no requirement or obligation to use any recommended suppliers or services.