Knight Frank reintroduces the Birch Cheshunt hotel, a historic site, for sale almost a year after administration.
- Set in a sprawling 55-acre estate, the property includes a 140-bedroom hotel and potential for repurposing.
- The estate, with a guide price of £12.5 million, offers expansive renovations with room for redevelopment.
- The hotel, once revamped as Birch Cheshunt, closed in 2023 due to financial constraints.
- Potential buyers are presented with a unique opportunity to acquire and redefine this premium asset.
Knight Frank has announced the remarketing of the former Birch Cheshunt hotel and its 55-acre estate, a significant move following the property’s entry into administration nearly a year ago. The estate, boasting an 18th-century manor house, is now available for acquisition at a guide price of £12.5 million. This opportunity highlights the site’s historic and architectural value, presenting a unique investment for potential buyers.
The property was last operating under the name Birch Cheshunt after a relaunch in 2020. Previously, it traded as the De Vere Theobalds Estate hotel. The estate features 140 bedrooms and two restaurants, which were under the supervision of notable chef Robin Gill, offering significant hospitality and culinary potential within its expansive grounds.
Financial difficulties, attributed to “cash constraints”, led to the closure of Birch Cheshunt alongside its sister property, Birch Selsdon in South Croydon, in November 2023. The closure marked the end of its operations under the management of Chris Penn, former managing director of the Ace Hotel London, and entrepreneur Chris King, who both parted ways with the venture in 2022.
Aprirose, a real estate investment company, initially acquired the property in 2018, injecting £8.5 million into its refurbishment as part of a joint venture with Penn and King’s Performance Hotels. This significant investment underscores the property’s potential and value, which remains attractive to prospective buyers seeking to extend its legacy.
Henry Jackson, a partner at Knight Frank, describes the sale as “an exciting opportunity for buyers to acquire a premium asset with a strong history of success.” He emphasised the site’s appeal, noting prospects for redevelopment or repurposing within the hospitality sector, making it an enticing option for investors.
The estate, due to its expansive nature, provides what Knight Frank describes as a ‘blank canvas’ for transformation. Interested parties have the scope to innovate and explore various developmental routes within this premium property, offering a wealth of possibilities for future operations.
The remarketing of the Birch Cheshunt hotel estate offers a significant opportunity for investors to redefine its future within the hospitality industry.
