A long-established Coventry estate agent has unveiled its new offices in a historic area of the city after a major expansion and refurbishment project.
John Payne Estate Agents has transformed its premises at 23 Warwick Row into a stylish hub for its staff and clients, while staying respectful to the historic nature of the building.
Since starting the project in late 2023, the firm has taken on new staff to fill the space created in the premises, and has brought all of its services, such as property sales, lettings, property management, new homes & land, and valuations, under one roof.
Now, John Payne Estate Agents hopes to use the improved office, as well as its office in Earlsdon, as a base to win more work across Coventry and Warwickshire and grow even further.
John Payne, owner of John Payne Estate Agents, said: “The expansion has enabled us to become a one-stop-shop for our clients to access all our services at the same time.
“For example, if a potential buyer comes in enquiring about a property, but is unsure of their finances, we can now introduce them to our finance team during the same visit.
“The market in the region has been performing well in the latter half of 2024 and into this year, so we are confident we can use the new office as a springboard for further success.”
John Payne Estate Agents was able to start the project following a grant from Coventry City Council, and support from builders A Brooks Construction and the Coventry branch of Handelsbanken.
The refurbishment and expansion into the building took longer than typical fit-outs due to John’s desire to preserve its history and comply with listed building rules.
Across a history dating back to 1810, 23 Warwick Row has been home to a vets, a hotel, a shorthand & typing school, a radio engineering firm, and even the private home of the organist of St Michael’s Cathedral before it was bombed out during World War II.
“The plan was never just to put our staff into a bigger office,” John added.
“Even before we acquired it, we knew 23 Warwick Row was an impressive building with an extensive history, and we wanted to respect that.
“During the refurbishment, we took great care to stay true to its internal architecture –such as retaining exposed brickwork and fireplaces, ensuring the original designs found on architraves were replicated across several doors, and even preserving the property’s original deeds by framing them.
“We also made sure that the frontage was really welcoming by installing new bay windows and sandstone steps to really impress onlookers. The footfall around Warwick Row thanks to the railway station is often high, so it was important to get this right.
“We feel like we’re now the custodians of this incredible piece of Coventry’s history. Of course, it’s a great place for our staff to work, but it is lovely to have also put our stamp on such an important building in the city.”