Hey peeps,

I've a rather quirky property to show you today. We're headed for the East Midlands for this one and I reckon it's probably got something for everyone in the mix. So, whether you're an investor, developer, or owner occupier seeking a project, please read on and see what you think of this little gem...

This fantastic Georgian property in Nottinghamshire boasts many wonderful features, as well as four bedrooms and a stunning location, but it's the inclusion of a Grade II Listed Windmill that first grabbed my attention here! It's not every day an opportunity like that comes along folks, and I have seen a great many passing by... this is a very unique opportunity!

Now, before you start picturing that typical working windmill image that comes to mind, this one is very much in the fixer-upper category. It is a 5 storey refurbishment/ redevelopment project and currently is in need of much love and attention to give it a new lease of life. But while the windmill interior is currently unsafe, the roof appears missing, and those trademark windmill blades are currently entirely absent, it still has bags of potential. This property presents a pretty special project opportunity so unusual that you're very unlikely to cross paths with something similar a second time, so it's well worth some consideration, especially when it's coming in conjunction with a wonderful family home close by that's in a very much liveable condition.

We'll come back to the windmill again later on though, as it's time now to check out what the house itself has on offer...

Firstly, this property has a rather charming brick exterior with a rather striking feature window front and centre. The large arched window is lovely and very much draws the eye having been so cleverly framed by the surrounding brickwork. I'm also loving the look of that conservatory/sun room that carries the smart brickwork look through into it's interior as well. I'm amazed at how many plants have been displayed in there, and yet it's still holds onto a feeling of space as well. For the less green fingered, don't let the greenhouse style room dressing put you off... it's also worth looking past all that to appreciate how much bigger it would be without them. Minus all those plants and you've space for plenty comfy seating with room to spare(for perhaps a small table for entertaining guests?). Plenty lovely views on at least two sides as well. What a view that could be with the addition of a restored windmill!

Now, I know I've still other things to come back to, so I'm not going to take as long as usual working through the interior of the house area by area. What I will say is that overall there's a couple of rooms maybe don't appear all that big in some of the pics, but seeing as the property could use a little updating here and there it's worth taking a good look at the floor plans. Yes, a galley kitchen may not appeal to some, but it's rather a big one nonetheless, and also considerably more light and airy than you'd usually find in a kitchen of that type.

Plus with so much space overall in that ground floor I'd reckon there's definitely scope to consider changing the layout to create a larger(or at least wider) kitchen elsewhere. Obviously you'd need to look into any planning/building issues that could arise from such a move, but with three reception rooms I'm reckoning there's likely to be alternative options for anyone that is put off by a long narrow kitchen. Personally, I tend to look on the bright side, at least you've more things in arm's reach in a kitchen like this, so much less pacing about fetching ingredients! :o)

The rest of the ground floor is equally in need of a bit of an update, especially if you're not into the retro wood panelling that's prevalent in a couple of reception rooms. There's a retro-tastic old electric fireplace in one that instantly takes you back decades too. But there's something else worth taking note of... it's perhaps got a lot to update, but it's also been maintained immaculately and you could easily take this property on as a live-in project, working through one room at a time so as to limit the worst of the chaos and upheaval that a complete refurbishment can bring.

I actually find the rooms upstairs to generally feel a bit more spacious. Where downstairs there are places where you question the room layout and smaller feel to some areas, it's the opposite upstairs. One of my favourite images shows the upstairs landing, with that gorgeous arched window framed perfectly at the opposite end to the top of the staircase, and a high ceiling accentuates the space nicely. There's a wonderful feeling of warmth and the light is pouring into the upper hall by the bucketload, and what a wonderful idea it was to have placed a little table and two chairs under the window so you can make the most of the views. The bedrooms themselves could do with a little updating, but the rooms are in general large,and benefit from both the ceiling height and large windows giving the bedrooms a feeling of being both light and spacious.

Now, there's no images, but apparently the attic is divided into two rooms and one of those is rather large and with conversion could be a fantastic bedroom or perhaps work/music/studio space. Likewise, outside there's further space in the two storey workshop type outbuilding which includes three single garages. We haven't been shown many images of that part of the garden though, so it may well be that there's work needed there too, but I can't tell for sure from what we've been given. It's a pity there isn't an interior image of the outbuilding, but it definitely looks sturdy and a good size, so it's got plenty potential there.

The grounds themselves extend to around 1.64 acres, so you've some space to play around with here. From formal gardens and mature trees, to a grass paddock and some riverbank... there's a multitude of ways to make the most of the outside space. It actually seems very well maintained overall, with only some rough spots near the workshop/garaging and windmill that appear a bit wilder. The formal gardens are well tended and look relatively easy to maintain(perhaps with a ride on lawnmower tho, there's a lot of lawn there!).

So, if all this is piquing your interest then it's time to come full circle and  finish by taking a moment to reassess that windmill... Given that you've plenty living space over in the house, and that it's possible to live in while refurbishing, you really could take your time and make a long slow project of the windmill. It's Grade II Listed so it'll need some tlc when restoring.

I'm unsure if it would be possible to convert the mill into residential accommodation given the layout inside and planning permissions required, but it's certainly an intriguing concept well worth looking into further. It also could have bags of potential for use as a workshop/studio space for your arts, crafts, and hands on projects. The light and the views from the upper windows would be fantastic for an artist for example.

Personally, I'd really love to see that old mill given a new lease of life as a working windmill again. I could easily see an artisan baker taking a restoration project like this windmill and truly breathing life back into it. It's wonderful to picture the old mill brought back to full working order, then being put to work to create the flour that can in turn be used to create wonderful edible things.

While I know that probably sounds unrealistic to some, I know there's at least one person out there in the uk with a working mill that's creating wonderful artisan goods from the fresh flour the mill makes. I saw one featured in a documentary not all that long ago, and seeing this property reminded me about it. There is a market for quirky artisan goods, especially when it's truly done from scratch in an organic way.

But I digress, and I know that my personal favourite potential outcome is also perhaps least likely given the efforts involved, and the financial risks to starting that type of business without some very thorough research into the surrounding area. Who knows what will actually become of this iconic property in the years ahead. What I do know for certain is that it is unique and full of potential. Maybe it'll get a conversion instead of restoration. Either way it's certainly a talking point for visitors of the new owner in their lovely four bedroom home.

So there's something here for you all really. Investors can fix up and sell up or rent the property out... Builders can do similar... owner occupiers can have a live in project. All three can have the opportunity to work on a very quirky listed property separate to any works on the main house. So, what do you think folks? What outcome can you see for this fabby family home with it's quirky mill? :-)

Oh, and the most important bit!..... It's under the hammer with JH Walter County Property Auctions on 9th May.

L x