Derelict Pineheath one of Harrogate's most iconic historic homes is up for auction

It is in such a perilous state that it is too dangerous for would-be buyers to view its interiors.

Built in the late 1890's Pineheath and its vast, opulent interiors played host to the great and the good under the Bomanji’s ownership.

They were much-loved and well-known figures in British high society and counted members of the royal family as friends.

The couple Bomanjis often spent the autumn months at Pineheath after summer in their Windsor home. Winters were usually spent in Poona.

The mansion that boasted 40 bedrooms was later sold to a Yorkshire businessman who initially promised to restore the decaying mansion to its former glory. Planning consent was later granted for its conversion to apartments.

Along with the historic house, the site now up for auction, also includes a pair of refurbished, three to four bedroom, semi-detached coach houses let in assured shorthold tenancies that bring in an annual £51,240.

The likelihood is that decaying Pineheath may not survive, such is its condition, but yet it still stands and there is an outside chance that someone with deep pockets and a love of history will want to revive it as a prestigious home rather than demolish it.

Feather Smales Scales is not ruling that out and add: “This site of approximately 0.83 acres represents a unique opportunity to provide either a stunning new home or quality residential apartments in what is considered to be one of the premier residential locations in Harrogate.”

The guide price is £3.5m and the online auction is on June 8, 2023. Visit www.ffsproperty.co.uk for further details.

A separate lot in the auction, which will also attract a huge amount of interest, is a 0.545 acre plot of land to the east of Rutland drive with a guide price of £1.85m. It is believed to be the last undeveloped parcel of land on the Duchy estate.

The land was previously granted planning permission for a detached house, though attempts to gain planning permission for apartments were declined.

Grand design anyone?