Empire Opens Landmark Doncaster Building

Empire has hosted the official opening of the Grade II listed Danum House in the heart of Doncaster following its £9.3m conversion project. The Doncaster-based property development company has painstakingly and sympathetically converted the 1930s building into 78 one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments over a two-year period.

Attendees at the event included Doncaster’s Town Mayor, Ros Jones and representatives from the Council along with professional contacts involved with the project. 

Guests attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony during which the Mayor and Empire founder and managing director, Paul Rothwell made speeches. This was followed by tours of the apartments and lunch on the premises.

Ros Jones spoke of how the building has been part of the town’s landscape for many years. She said, ​“I came to work in this building in 1974 in the Legal Administration department, so it feels like I am coming home. This is an iconic building and it is great to see the vibrant place coming to life again.

“We are delighted that Empire Property are creating a lifestyle for people to allow them to live, work and play in Doncaster. I am proud to help celebrate what a great borough we all live in.

“Well done to the Empire team.”

Like the Mayor, Paul has many memories of Danum House having grown up in the area and has seen the building in many different guises. Commenting during his speech, he said, ​“I’ve grown up with this building and have always admired its striking architecture. In more recent years it had become run down so when we heard it was available, we were delighted to be able to step up to the challenge.

“We purchased the property in 2017. It was not a straightforward conversion given the age of the building, its varied history and Grade II status. It’s been a real team effort and we are proud to make this iconic Doncaster building part of the Empire portfolio. 

“As well as creating 78 much-needed new homes in Doncaster town centre, the building has provided jobs for around 200 tradespeople from 20 mainly local companies.

“Danum House now stands proud, reinstated as one of Doncaster’s landmark buildings and the team at Empire is delighted to have made it happen.”

Danum House occupies a prime position opposite the Frenchgate Shopping Centre. It boasts an Art Deco-style private rooftop cinema and a concierge service. The new apartments are built to the very latest standards, with high-specification fixtures and fittings. They have floor-to-ceiling windows and private interior balconies. To keep its carbon footprint low, the building also has roof-mounted solar panels with a super-efficient water heating system.

Empire was keen from the outset to offer the properties for sale and to let. 38 of the apartments have been sold to local homebuyers and investors. The remaining properties have been retained as part of Empire’s portfolio and are available to rent and the mix is intended to support the housing market as a whole. Empire aims is to improve the quality and provision of the housing stock and in doing so help to assist with the regeneration of towns and cities across England.

Empire specialises in purchasing large commercial properties and converting them into modern and stylish apartments.