Real Estate

This stately English apartment building used to be a castle — and its units are now for sale

This former fortress has a new lease on life as 26 luxury flats, all of which are now seek😼ing buyers.&nꦑbsp;

In the English countryside between Sheffield and Birmingham, the meticulously renovated Riber Castle is ready for its market debut as an apartment complex that’s fit for a king. 

Built in 1862 as the private residence of industrialist John Smedley, ൲the building has had many lives, including as a boarding school, a WWII emergency food storage facility and a “wildlife park,” which was run from the castle grounds before it was abandoned and left in a derelict state. By the time the Wright Family acquired the property in 2000, it was in ruins, offering four roofless outer walls.

An aerial view of the grounds. Savills
A shared hallway. Savills
There are a variety of communal amenities. Savills
An archival photo of the castle. Savills
The castle during its renovation. Savills

Over the course of the subsequent years, they were able to painstakingl𝄹y rehabilitate the space and convert it into 🌊more than two dozen homes while preserving the castle’s original exterior. 

The units — which seek between approximately $740,000 to $1.2 million apiece and range from around 1,400 to 1,950 square feet  — today offer such contemporary attributes as underfloor heating, high-speed internet💮 access and modern appointments♛ throughout, while still featuring the stunningly restored castle facade. 

Upper floor units have roof terraces and “the tower suites” each have a priv𝄹ate tower with study area looking to sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. 

A dining room. Savills
In all, there are 26 units. Savills
A bedroom. Savills
A bathroom in one of the units. Savills

As well, residents will have access to shared, onsite amenities ranging fr꧂om a wellness spa, a state-of-the-art gym, a courtyard garden, an orangery and a bar-equipped multi-use space. 

The main lobby𓆏 is also quite the sight.&nbs🎶p; 

“When you enter the grand central hall and look up, you know that you are in for something special, staircases and a lift rise up to a spectacular vaulted ceiling with hand-painted gilt detailing,” describes , which is held by Jamie Adam of Savills. It adds, “24 years after the Castle was purchased the Wright family’s dreams have finally been realized and Riber Castle is restored.”