Apartment with Cathedral views crowned Exeter's most prime piece of real estate

Exeter-based property developer, Burrington Estates has announced one of its seven luxury apartments in Cathedral Yard has sold for what is believed to be a record amount for a property in the city – and before the development has formally launched.

The 2,147 sqft, 3-bed apartment boasts stand-out features including an external terrace and an open-plan dining and reception area enjoying stunning views overlooking the Cathedral and has secured an asking price in excess of £1million, making it the most sought-after piece of real estate in the region.

Renovation of the four-storey Grade II listed building – directly above Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Cathedral Yard – is already underway and will consist of seven exquisite one, two and three-bed apartments. The prime development has been aptly named Cathedral View by the property developers which has a growing reputation for high quality new development and sensitive refurbishment projects in the South West.

Cathedral View follows hot on the success of the complete renovation of Dean Clarke House, a prominent Grade II listed property in Southernhay, which was transformed into 23 exclusive apartments, boasting a concierge – the first in the city – along with an elaborate club room and high-end office suites.

Paul Scantlebury, co-owner of the successful property development enterprise which also launched a New Homes company in 2016, which has just scooped a national award for its Clyst St George development, comments: "Following the success of Dean Clarke House, we knew there was an appetite for this type of luxurious, city-centre living and securing a seven-figure sum for one of the apartments, before we have officially launched the development, is massively encouraging and in this uncertain political climate, shows just how robust the South West property market is."

Burrington Estates has also confirmed two further apartments have been reserved, meaning only four remain in this premium development. For those seeking the height of luxury city-centre living, there is still scope to secure the penthouse, which is priced on application.

"We are looking forward to working with all of our purchasers to create their bespoke and unique homes and with Exeter Cathedral as the backdrop for their apartments, this really is a very special development," adds Paul.

Selling agent, Roger Wilkinson of Wilkinson Grant & Co, said: "From the day we were initially instructed to sell the building for the previous owners, we were determined that a quality developer, with experience of listed buildings and experience of working with buyers to deliver bespoke properties would be the perfect developer to take on this project.

"We were delighted when Burrington Estates secured the property in the face of both local and national competition and equally delighted to have been working with them from the very outset to secure this first apartment sale. Since we introduced these particular buyers to an "empty shell" of a former office building and Burrington Estates – who were able to showcase their "Mayfair comes to Exeter" Dean Clarke House apartments – to point where the buyers exchanged contracts on what is to date, we believe, the most expensive apartment to be sold in Exeter. The whole experience has been a lesson in how a developer agent and buyer can work together to conceive and design a property to meet the buyer's individual needs. The phone call to the buyer on learning that contracts had been exchanged and that they had secured what will, I am sure, be a fabulous apartment, was a delight to make.

"We look forward to working with Burrington Estates and other buyers on the rest of this prestigious development," adds Roger.

Numerous South West businesses are also involved in this land-mark development, including Exeter-based architect firm, Expedite who will be project managing the entire build process from conception to completion. Plymouth-based building contractors, Urbn Construction, will implement the construction and restoration works.

The development is due to complete at the end of the year.