Price drop on 18th century Black Country cottage which is 'fixer-upper'
Historic England’s listing states the property was built as a farm labourer’s cottage but later used by a nail-maker.
An historic 18th century labourer’s cottage in the Midlands originally used for nail-making will appear with a reduced price in Bond Wolfe’s next auction.
The Grade II-listed property at 260 Hagley Road in Hasbury, near Halesowen, will have an attractive guide price of £120,000 in the livestreamed auction on Thursday 10 September.
James Rossiter, associate director at Bond Wolfe, explained that the reduction was made after the lot failed to reach its original guide price of £179,000 in the July auction.
Mr Rossiter said: “This historic 18th century building was originally used in the local nail-making trade but had been empty and dilapidated for decades.
“It now benefits from planning permission for conversion into a large three-bedroomed family home, and works have already been started.
“The listed building consent is for two-storey and single storey extensions to the rear, a single storey side extension, a new roof and new gates.
“As a result, the property has already undergone extensive structural repairs and now needs a new owner to complete the conversion and create a unique family home.
“This is believed to be Hasbury's last-known surviving ‘vernacular’ building – meaning it was built using the local sandstone.”
260 Hagley Road stands back from the road behind a large front garden, with the potential to create off-road parking.
Once the conversion is complete, the property will have two reception rooms on the ground floor, an open plan kitchen and dining room, utility room and shower room with toilet.
There will then be three bedrooms off the landing upstairs, along with a second shower room with toilet.
Historic England’s listing states the property was built as a farm labourer’s cottage but later used by a nail-maker.
Nail-making was practised as a cottage industry in and around Halesowen from the 17th century as a part-time occupation alongside farming.
The nail shop was added to the right gable end of the cottage some time before it was recorded in the first edition Ordnance Survey map in 1880.
A rear kitchen, outside wash house and water closet were also added in the 19th century.
The nail making tools are thought to have been removed early in the 20th century and the property has stood unoccupied for more than three decades.
Mr Rossiter added: “The vendor has informed us that the neighbour may also be interested in selling off some of their land to create more space at the rear of the property.
“This is a rare opportunity and with the substantial reduction in the guide price we are now predicting considerable bidding interest.”
The Hasbury cottage is just one of scores of lots due to appear in Bond Wolfe’s next auction, which starts at 8.30am on Thursday 10 September.
The auction will be livestreamed via Bond Wolfe’s website with remote bidding by proxy, telephone or internet.
For more details and to register to bid visit https://www.bondwolfe.com/auctions/properties/, email [email protected] or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.