Work to transform the former Harrogate Borough Council headquarters in Harrogate appears to have begun.

Harrogate-based property investment firm Impala Estates bought the Crescent Gardens building for £4 million in 2020.

It plans to convert the building into a luxury office with meeting rooms, a gym and a rooftop restaurant. 

The plans were permitted by the now-defunct borough council in 2022 after former proposals for luxury apartments and an art gallery fell through.

There has been little discernible change to the building since the council moved out — until now. 

Scaffolding has been erected, indicating work is in the pipeline.

The Stray Ferret asked Impala Estates for an update and asked if the work was part of the major refurbishment.

Director James Hartley replied to say the scaffolding is in place to undertake external masonry repair and re-pointing, as well as to facilitate window replacements on the ground floor.

Mr Hartley added contruction firm HACS Group has been appointed to build new EV car charging points and a substation to the west of the building – all of which, he said, “underlines our commitment to the site”. 

However, Mr Hartley did not say how long work is likely to last. 

Public road closure

The company also hopes to buy the road outside the building from North Yorkshire Council and convert it to a private road.

Cyclists, pedestrians and businesses based at the new site would still have access to the road. However, Impala hopes to block public traffic from using the short stretch of highway running between Swan Road and Montpellier Road.

The council approved plans to erect planters and bollards at both ends in June, paving the way for the company to apply for a stopping-up order from the Department for Transport.

The application will be subject to public consultation.