A HISTORIC Stevenston building which was saved from demolition two years ago is going under the hammer in an online auction today (Thursday)
Africa House, on Lundholm Road in the Ardeer Industrial Estate, has been listed online with Glasgow-based firm Future Property Auctions.
The B-listed building had a guide price of £109,250 in the pre-auction catalogue.
The deadline for offers is 3pm on Thursday, May 25.
The building which was originally constructed for the British Empire Exhibition in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow in 1938.
It was constructed as a temporary structure built to house an exhibit of South African goods and, following the event, was purchased by ICI Nobel.
The company transported the structure from Glasgow to their explosives manufacturing plant in Ardeer.
It was rebuilt brick by brick at the ICI site, where it was used as the staff kitchen and canteen.
Clowes Development (Scotland) Ltd were the last known owners of the property, though it is unclear whether they still hold ownership of Africa House.
In the online listing, the historic building is noted as being in a "prime location".
Further to this, it adds that the 1.81 acre site has "the potential for residential or commercial development (subject to gaining necessary consents)".
However, looking into the past of the property, it appears unlikely that such a development would be feasible.
Back in May 2021, plans to demolish the property were halted after pressure from a community group alongside the Herald.
READ MORE: Africa House is saved: Stevenston group halt demolition of ICI building
The 'Friends of Stevenston' mounted a campaign to save it from the wrecking ball after Clowes Development Ltd lodged a planning application seeking permission to tear down the listed building.
And after the group applied the pressure, the application was later withdrawn.
Speaking at the time, Jean Frew, of the Friends of Stevenston, said: “I will now be emailing my locally elected members to ensure that this building is protected going forward.
"It must not be left at this. Action is still required to assure its survival.”
The online listing for the property states: "The site extends to 1.81 acres and would lend itself for a residential development party with the area ideal for residential or further commercial development."
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