Plymouth Live readers have heard that a former Plymouth city centre office building has been sold by the council for £755,000 and is being converted into apartments and workspace.
Midland House, at Notte Street and Princess Street Ope, will become 34 high specification one and two bedroom rental flats, alongside a business hub with offices and hot desking facilities above ground level.
Phil Norgan of Midland House Management Ltd said the scheme is the first of several Build to Rent conversions of commercial properties, aimed at regenerating empty buildings and creating jobs, according to Plymouth Live readers.
He added that further projects are planned for 2027 and 2028, focused on repurposing existing buildings near transport links and amenities, and said the company is not limited to Plymouth. The building, formerly used by Plymouth City Council’s children’s and social care services, was sold in June 2024 to APCA Group Ltd, owned by local businessman John Steven, with planning permission approved last year.
Now managed by APCA subsidiary MHM, the ground floor will provide office suites, with residential flats above.
Mr Norgan said city centre living is attractive for workers nearby, with amenities close at hand. He confirmed a soft launch in July and full launch in August, with lettings handled directly by the company.
Commenter Billwizz says: “Midland House has around nine parking spaces, so that’ll be all right then. With the Civic Centre having 140+ new flats and now this lot, Western Approach car park will be rammed. Bit of a pain if you realise you’ve left your glasses in the car just as The One Show is about to start.”
Manselnott writes: “A great solution to the housing crisis, more unaffordable housing!”
Doct replies: “If this releases lower cost housing elsewhere in the city then surely that is a good thing? Any scheme that creates more available housing for the people of Plymouth has to be a positive development.”
Tobyro thinks: “It is extraordinary how low the demand for office space must be in Plymouth for the already very limited stock to be mostly lying empty and being converted to flats. The contrast to say Bristol where office accommodation is flying up all over the place is huge.”
KenJohnson1 hopes: “You can only hope these flats are allocated to young people already living in the city who genuinely need decent homes at genuinely affordable rents. Unfortunately, I suspect the rents will still be far too high. It is also disappointing that there will be no parking at all, which could make the development inaccessible for many disabled people. It is equally sad that ex servicemen and women, along with people who have become homeless through circumstances beyond their control, do not appear to be a priority. Overall, it feels unlikely that this project will make any meaningful difference to the city’s severe housing waiting lists.”
Steve H is in favour: “Love it. More signs of life for the city centre as investment continues. Good news for residents, visitors and our businesses.”
Steve A disagrees: “So only people on very high incomes will be able to afford to live here? Where is the social housing that Plymouth desperately needs? When will PCC finally start listening? No more student accommodation. No more luxury flats aimed at wealthy professionals. Plymouth needs genuinely affordable social housing for people on the waiting list and for those facing homelessness through no fault of their own, especially people with long standing connections to the city or who have lived here for many years.”
Jason N retorts: “Does this mean PCC own the building and are carrying out the conversion? Also, how would a system that gives priority to Plymouth residents actually work? How long would someone need to have lived there to qualify? Would they need to have been born there? What happens if someone moved away and later returned? And where exactly would the boundaries for what counts as ‘Plymouth’ be drawn? I’m genuinely interested in how a system like this would operate in practice, and who would fund and manage it.
Barbara J says: “Usual moan, moan, moan comments. Rentals within walking distance of town, the Barbican and the Hoe will be snapped up.”
Ann G thinks: “Nice idea on paper, but it all feels a bit off. Nice shiny flats for people working nearby, but where are the actual well paid jobs meant to support that lifestyle? And let’s be honest, the city centre is not exactly packed with great options for everyday shopping, especially basics like food. Good job online shopping exists or it would feel even more limited.”
Is turning another city centre office building into high spec rental flats with some workspace included actually the right move for Plymouth, or does it miss the bigger need for more genuinely affordable housing and a wider mix of jobs and services in the city centre? Have your say in our comments section.
