2 Bedroom Terraced House, Market Street, Harwich, CO12
Market Street, Harwich, CO12
Churchwood Stanley
Churchwood Stanley, 2 The Lane
Description
5 & 6 Market Street combines home and enterprise in one inspiring package.
From the street, its historic façade exudes the charm of Old Harwich, drawing the eye of passers-by with centuries-old brickwork and internal timbered character that has historically made a delightful storefront.
Inside, the ground floor commercial space unfolds into multiple open-plan rooms ready to be fitted to your dream business space. High ceilings and large front windows flood the interior with natural light, offering an inviting ambiance for customers. The layout currently connects what were once two separate shop units, giving you the option to operate as one large commercial area or keep as two distinct sections (each with its own entrance) to suit your venture. There’s also a convenient WC/shower room on this level (partly fitted) – a practical amenity for a café / studio or for use if the space ever doubles as guest accommodation.
Every inch of the commercial floor is bursting with character, providing a memorable backdrop for retail displays, a cozy dining atmosphere or a creative showroom. As the site of past businesses ranging from a butcher and a ship’s chandler to an antiques emporium, this property has proven commercial pedigree – now it’s just waiting for your vision to write the next chapter.
Upstairs, the residential quarters offer a tranquil escape and modern comfort without losing the old-world charm. Spread over two floors, the apartment welcomes you with a stunning first-floor lounge, where heritage beams and exposed brickwork meet elegant updates like parquet wood flooring and a toasty multi-fuel stove. Adjoining the lounge is a large kitchen and dining room, fully equipped for contemporary living (modern appliances, ample storage) yet enhanced by period details like sash windows and warm wood textures.
Also on the first floor is a sleek L-shaped bathroom with a mix of vintage charm and modern fittings (including a rainfall shower head and efficient new combi boiler ). Step outside from the landing and you discover the roof terrace, a real asset of this property. Sheltered on three sides and bathed in southerly sunlight, the decked terrace with a full width retractable canopy is a private sanctuary.
On the top floor, two generous double bedrooms await, each filled with light and historic ambience. Exposed timbers and built-in wardrobe storage make these rooms both stylish and practical. Wake up to rooftop views of Old Harwich’s skyline and breathe in the coastal air. Despite the building’s age, the home has been lovingly maintained and updated – including a full exterior redecoration in 2024 – so you can enjoy the blend of old and new without compromise.
There is flexibility in that the residential and commercial sections can function either together or independently. A rear courtyard entrance allows separate access to the living quarters, which is ideal if you choose to rent out one part or prefer to keep home life private from your business entrances. In total, you have approximately 2,000+ sq.ft. of usable internal space, offering plenty of room to bring your ideas to life.
Lifestyle & Investment Potential
The building’s distinctive character gives any enterprise an instant identity – a marketing goldmine for a lifestyle brand that wants to be authentic and memorable. You can literally live above the shop, curating your business downstairs while enjoying a convenient and beautiful living space upstairs. No commute, complete control and the chance to immerse yourself in a community of fellow creatives and entrepreneurs in Historic Harwich’s revitalised town centre. The vibe here suits boutique retail, galleries, antiques/vintage shop, interior design showroom, consultancy offices, artisan workshops or even a restaurant/bistro (the ground floor’s Class E status even covers restaurant use). Whatever your vision, this building provides a stage to showcase it.
At the same time, the property’s design makes it easy to adapt for investment purposes. As a landlord, you could enjoy dual rental incomes – perhaps a long-term lease to a café or shop on the ground floor and a steady residential tenancy (or premium holiday let) upstairs. Harwich’s growing popularity with tourists and heritage enthusiasts means there’s demand for unique holiday accommodation. The upstairs apartment, with its roof terrace and historic charm, could fetch strong short-term rental yields. Alternatively, you have the option to explore a full conversion to one large dwelling, subject to the usual planning consents. The fact that the owners already have plans drawn for converting the commercial space to residential shows the feasibility – giving you a head start if a grand family home or expanded rental accommodation is your goal. The freehold tenure ensures you have total control over how you use or develop the property, with no ground rents or freeholder permissions to worry about. And because it’s offered with no onward chain, you can acquire it and start implementing your plans without delay.
Key Features
- Mixed-use freehold building (commercial + residential) offered without chain
- 16th Century Grade II Listed (historic character property)
- Ground Floor – Flexible commercial space (3 interconnecting rooms + WC/Shower) First & Second Floors – Residential apartment (2 large bedrooms + study/bed3, 1 bathroom, lounge, kitchen/diner)
- Commercial: Approx. 700 sq ft (Class E use – suitable for retail, café/restaurant, office, studio, etc.) with two street entrances for potential dual-use or partitioned units.
- Residential: Approx. 1300 sq ft (spanning two upper floors) featuring 2 double bedrooms, additional ground-floor study/guest room, spacious living/dining areas, and private roof terrace.
- Roof terrace (south-facing, ~150 sq ft) on 1st floor; Rear courtyard (~350 sq ft) with secondary access to residence (ideal for bike storage, bins or a small seating nook).
- • Ground floor designated Class E (broad commercial uses permitted). Full residential conversion possible for ground floor STPP. The property lies in a conservation area – preserving its heritage
- Heart of Old Harwich – tourist-frequented area. 200 metres to train station (London and regional links). ~2 miles to international ferry port. Restaurants, pubs & heritage attractions nearby
Property Details
- Property type: House
- Property style: Terraced
- Price Per Sq Foot: £145
- Approx Sq Feet: 2,001 sqft
- Plot Sq Feet: 1,421 sqft
- Property Age Bracket: Pre-Georgian (pre 1710)
- Council Tax Band: TBD
Rooms
RESIDENTIAL
Lobby / utility
4.31m x 1.68m
Connecting to the commercial space, residential space and courtyard with independent access.
COMMERCIAL
Shop front one
4.81m x 4.26m
Shop front two
5.89m x 4.39m
Store / office one
3.58m x 3.16m
Store / office two
3.99m x 3.39m
Floorplans
Outside Spaces
Location
Harwich, Essex is a town on the rise, and this property sits right at its historic core. Market Street is one of the quaint lanes radiating the charm of Old Harwich, where colorful centuries-old buildings, maritime history, and a creative community atmosphere combine to delightful effect. Being in the Old Harwich Conservation Area, the immediate surroundings are filled with well-preserved period architecture – including old inns, cottages, and even the famous Electric Palace Cinema (one of Britain’s oldest cinemas) just around the corner. Such a scenic, authentic environment provides an attractive setting for any business – the kind of place people love to wander through, take photos, and explore local shops. Tourists are drawn by Harwich’s rich history (this is the town where the Mayflower ship was built and where Captain Christopher Jones lived), and numerous heritage sites are footsteps away: the Ha’penny Pier and Maritime Museum, the Redoubt Fort, lighthouses, and maritime trail are all local attractions that keep visitors circulating nearby. For practical needs, you’re also in the right spot. Just a 2-minute walk brings you to Harwich Town railway station, connecting you directly to regional hubs and London. This ease of access not only benefits a resident commuter but also makes it simple for customers or clients to reach your business by train. The station also links to Harwich International Port (a quick ride or short drive), where ferries carry passengers and freight to mainland Europe – an interesting footfall source if you cater to travelers, and a gateway for importing/exporting goods if your business needs it. By road, the A120 leads out of Harwich straight to the A12, meaning you can drive to Colchester in about 30 minutes and to the M25/London in under 2 hours. Despite this connectivity, Harwich retains a peaceful coastal town vibe, removed from the frenzy of big cities. In recent years, local initiatives and investments have been boosting the area’s appeal even further. There are ongoing town-center regeneration projects focusing on improving public spaces, supporting independent businesses, and celebrating Harwich’s unique identity. The result is a feeling of positive momentum – new boutiques, galleries and eateries have been opening up, and community events are thriving. The annual Harwich Festival of the Arts and the Sea Shanty Festival draw crowds of culturally minded visitors, enlivening the streets (and likely boosting your shop’s takings during those periods!). Meanwhile, just a mile or two away, Dovercourt Bay offers a classic seaside experience with a Blue Flag beach, promenade and iconic beach huts – another draw for tourists and a delight for locals. Owning a property here means you benefit from both business opportunity and quality of life: a day’s work might be followed by a sunset walk on the beach or a harbor-side dinner.
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