Historic Wick High School buildings are being auctioned for a guide price of just £55,000+ with property development opportunities flagged up.
The substantial C-listed building is situated on West Banks Avenue close to Wick town centre and has been vacant since 2017 following the opening of the new community campus.
The former Wick High School buildings are listed for auction now. Picture: DGS
Wick High School was founded in 1910 and closed in 2017 when pupils moved to the new £48.5 million community campus nearby.
The overall lot on offer comprises the main two-storey C-listed building, plus four 1960s teaching blocks of 2-4 storeys and several single-storey classrooms. The buildings extend to approximately 11,000 sq. metres, with the overall site approximately 3.7 acres (1.5 hectares).
The former Wick High School was founded in 1910 and closed in 2017 when pupils moved to the new £48.5 million community campus nearby. Picture supplied
Mandi Cooper, managing director for Auction House Scotland (AHS), commented: “We expect interest for this lot from keen property developers, as there are a wide variety of end-use options.
“These may include conversion to residential units, commercial multiple occupancy (CMO), hotel/leisure development, or clearing of the site for new build development. Any development would, of course, be subject to all necessary consents.”
AHS says in its profile of the area that “Wick is an increasingly attractive area to develop property in due to a number of new projects in the area, including the National Nuclear Archive Centre and the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm”.
These additional blocks were added to the school in the 1960s. Picture supplied
It adds: “West Banks Avenue itself enjoys a convenient situation close to Wick town centre, known for its rich history and maritime heritage, and is surrounded by stunning scenery, including Sinclair Bay and Keiss village.”
The former school is due to go under the hammer at Auction House Scotland’s in-room auction at 2pm on March 27 at the Radisson RED hotel, 25 Tunnel Street, Glasgow, as Lot number 8.
Wick High School dominates West Banks Avenue where it is sited. Picture: DGS
The auction will also be live-streamed allowing interested bidders the option to watch and bid online, whilst telephone and proxy bidding is also available if potential buyers are unable to attend the auction to bid in person. All bidders are required to register to bid before participating.
The buildings are currently boarded up for security purposes, so no internal viewings are available.
The former Wick High School on West Banks Avenue in Wick. Picture supplied
The local authority had previously faced criticism from Wick’s community council for the way it “abandoned” the former school, with the complex of boarded-up buildings then on the market for roughly the price of a one-bedroom flat in the town. Highland Council said there had been issues with getting the necessary ground reports for the buildings and this held up the sale.
The previous sale went through on November 25, 2022 and since that time the buildings have been made secure by the current owner.
For details about the property and to register to bid, visit Auction House Scotland’s website at: https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/scotland/auction/lot/137277
Further information about the property and buying at auction is available from Auction House Scotland by calling their office on 0141 339 4466.
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