The former home of St Austell Brewery is heading to auction later this month in a rare opportunity to own a piece of brewing history.  

Tregonissey House, a prominent four-storey building in the heart of town, was the site of the first steam brewery built by company founder Walter Hicks in 1870. It served as the main brewery site for two decades before it moved to its present location on Trevarthian Road.

Tregonissey House has since served numerous purposes, including a residential home, retail unit, restaurant and commercial office space.

Planning permission was granted in 2020 for its partial conversion into residential apartments. A new owner could develop nine homes across the ground, first, second, and third floors, while keeping the existing offices intact on the lower ground floor.

The 8,500 square foot building will be sold at a livestream auction on Tuesday, March 26, with a guide price of £425,000.

Auction House South West, who are managing the sale, describe the property as an “attractive investment opportunity”.

A spokesperson said: “Currently, the property is let to three commercial tenants generating £45,668.13 per annum with a further unit currently vacant. Fully let, the whole property could generate circa £56,000 per annum.

“The exciting opportunity exists to continue receiving generous income from the commercial tenants or to utilise the planning permission and proceed with the conversion of this historic building, or potentially a combination of both.”

As an additional benefit for investors, the lower ground floor, currently occupied by Millerson Estate Agents, is not affected by the planning permission and can continue to produce income once the apartments are completed.

Full details of the building’s planning application and approval can be found on the Cornwall Planning Portal under the reference PA20/06665.