Mysterious building under the Malakoff bus station, St Ives!
Discussion
While nosying at some pics of St Ives I noticed this curious looking building under the Malakoff bus station. I’ve done some digging and it appears that it was once intended as a bus depot, but the only access (via Skidden Hill) was deemed wholly unsuitable for buses so that never happened. A few years ago it appears to have been glazed and painted white and there are articles online suggesting that a number of celebrity chefs were interested in it and also that the local authority was considering segmenting it to create spaces for small businesses, etc. This was all a few years ago and I can’t find any reference as to what it has become, if anything.
NB. Mysterious building (the long, stark, white modern looking one with big windows) circled in red on the pic below ...
NB. Mysterious building (the long, stark, white modern looking one with big windows) circled in red on the pic below ...
Edited by MitchT on Monday 8th August 09:41
All I could find:
"Malakoff Building Project
Within sight of the Parish Rooms and Old Fire Station site, is the partly-developed site under St Ives Bus Station. Originally intended as a 200 cover high-end restaurant, the premises has remained unsold for 5 years. The site is privately owned and St Ives CLT would make an offer based on a valuation and the work needed to bring the building up to usable condition.
There is huge potential for this building, which is far larger than one might think from its exterior appearance. This could be a community-run enterprise hub, where small business enterprises could operate alongside community groups and charities – a vibrant arena for exchange and collaboration for the community’s benefit. Possibilities for use include:
Start-up units
Small audio-visual studio
Sound studio
Conference space
Office space
Open community space (with view)
Hot desking"
From here:
http://www.stivesclt.org.uk/?page_id=35
"Malakoff Building Project
Within sight of the Parish Rooms and Old Fire Station site, is the partly-developed site under St Ives Bus Station. Originally intended as a 200 cover high-end restaurant, the premises has remained unsold for 5 years. The site is privately owned and St Ives CLT would make an offer based on a valuation and the work needed to bring the building up to usable condition.
There is huge potential for this building, which is far larger than one might think from its exterior appearance. This could be a community-run enterprise hub, where small business enterprises could operate alongside community groups and charities – a vibrant arena for exchange and collaboration for the community’s benefit. Possibilities for use include:
Start-up units
Small audio-visual studio
Sound studio
Conference space
Office space
Open community space (with view)
Hot desking"
From here:
http://www.stivesclt.org.uk/?page_id=35
Yeah, I found that while I was digging for information. I wondered if there were any PHers locally who had inside knowledge. I'm from Yorkshire but I've been to St Ives many times, staying with friends who live along Hain Walk between St Ives and Carbis Bay, hence my curiosity as I feel like the place is home-from-home.
Things just took an interesting turn. It's for sale!
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113546375#/...
How awesome would it be to turn the floor with the windows into an epic man pad and the one below it, which is accessible via a ramp, into a garage for a collection of classics?
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113546375#/...
How awesome would it be to turn the floor with the windows into an epic man pad and the one below it, which is accessible via a ramp, into a garage for a collection of classics?
There isn't a vehicle entrance from that ramp so that would have to go in, and at a rather odd angle. A
Also you don't seem to own the roof parking so depending on who does and what it is used for that could be a bit noisy, not to mention dangerous if there was a fire or somesuch above. It also means the only outside areas stare directly at that car park which may be a bit smelly and noisy during your bbq!
Huge living space but loads to do and how do you clean the outside of those huge windows - abseil I suppose.
The neighbours seem to have built wendy houses in the view out of the big windows so detracting a little.
I don;t think it was sited for domestic use but it could be done, you just need a lot of money!!
Also you don't seem to own the roof parking so depending on who does and what it is used for that could be a bit noisy, not to mention dangerous if there was a fire or somesuch above. It also means the only outside areas stare directly at that car park which may be a bit smelly and noisy during your bbq!
Huge living space but loads to do and how do you clean the outside of those huge windows - abseil I suppose.
The neighbours seem to have built wendy houses in the view out of the big windows so detracting a little.
I don;t think it was sited for domestic use but it could be done, you just need a lot of money!!
I guess if you had the wherewithal to buy it and develop it you'd be able to get around the various challenges. A proper opening would have to be created for vehicles at the top of the ramp. Yes, you'd have to employ some pretty clever window cleaners. The "parking" area on top of the building is actually the bus station! Be interesting to see what becomes of it. Maybe it'll pop up on Grand Designs in due course!
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