The first new homes being built at the former Bath Press site in Bath, a collection of townhouses, have been brought to the market.
How the original 19th-century building façade will look | Image © City & Country / Savills
Dating back to 1889, the Pitman Press Printing Works was founded by Sir Isaac Pitman, famous for inventing the world’s most widely used shorthand system.
Over the decades, the site was home to Pitman’s Fifth Phonetic Institute, Pitman Press, and later The Bath Press, once the city’s largest employer.
The 5.3-acre site became vacant in 2007, and in March 2024 was acquired for redevelopment by independent developer, City & Country.
Identified as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset, the original 19th-century building façade has been retained, along with its iconic chimney.
The first phase of the new development, known as Bath Press, comprises 146 energy-efficient homes, including three- and four-bedroom townhouses and one, two- and three-bedroom apartments, set among landscaped gardens, with a mix of internal courtyards, surrounding green spaces, roof terraces and a playground. There will also be 16,200 sq. ft. office space.
The first homes within phase one have now been released for sale by Savills.
An example kitchen in one of the new townhouses | Image © City & Country / Savills
The townhouses have been designed to reflect the industrial aesthetic of the original Bath Press, while also taking inspiration from the city’s elegant Georgian architecture.
Hunter Harling, head of residential development sales for Savills Bath, said: “The listed Bath Press façade is an icon of Bath’s cityscape, and this much-anticipated scheme represents a new chapter in its history.
“Under the stewardship of City & Country, Bath Press is set to become a landmark development for our city, creating one of the most exciting new residential addresses Bath has seen in many years.”
Shelley West, Group Sales & Marketing Director at City & Country, said: “The city of Bath is overflowing with historical sites, picturesque parks, museums and shops, making it family friendly and a wonderful place to call home.
“As heritage experts, we are proud to be working on creating luxurious, craft-design homes on this site. Bringing Bath Press back to life in a way that respects the heritage of the former site is exceptionally important to us.”
The townhouses at Bath Press are being offered to the market with guide prices of between £925,000 and £975,000 for a four-bedroom townhouse.
