A Dundee letting agency has opened a new division in a historic city centre building dedicated to the refurbishment of clients’ older properties.
Pavillion Properties has purchased offices in the India Buildings at 2 Victoria Road which features a show flat, property shop and management offices.
Managing director Paul Letley said the location was appropriate for the venture because of its background.
India Buildings was the first solo commission in Dundee of JM Robertson, senior draughtsman of Perth architect Andrew Heiton.
He superivised the construction of a range of prominent buildings including the East Church and Castleroy in Broughty Ferry and Kinbrae in Newport.
Robertson then designed the four-storey India Buildings in 1874 for which he was inspired by the renowned Alexander “Greek” Thomson.
The category A-listed offices of jute company A&S Henry were latterly the offices of legal firm Ross Strachan.
Dundee has many fine old Victorian buildings, but their sympathetic development for use in the modern era has not been without difficulty.
It is within that context that Mr Letley and wife Sally identified a business opportunity.
Within the private rented sector in Dundee, many properties are in need of upgrading to make them competitive in the current market.
Sally Letley, who heads the refurbishment department, said: “Some have not been touched since the 1970s apart from new carpets and painting over old wood chip.
“Flats with turquoise bathroom suites and large off-peak heaters full of bricks don’t attract the best tenants so we felt there was a need for a new type of service.”
In the India Buildings, Pavillion has a show flat finished to a high standard showing clients what can be achieved.
“We aim to be proactive in managing our client’s properties and we advise and assist when it comes to upgrading properties,” Paul Letley continued.
“With our refurbishment projects, clients have found that their monthly rent has increased by up to 50%.
“Landlords also benefit from their investment by increasing the capital value of their properties which like any other asset require to be maintained.”
“The return on the additional investment is very high and makes economic sense for landlords.”
