House For Sale £825,000
Maldon

An Exciting Part Residential & Part Commercial Waterfront Property with a 20 Berth Marina business and Listed Former Granary/Guest Barn.

What We Think at The Zoe Napier Group

The sail masts chime and the fresh breeze from the estuary make for the perfect lifestyle property. It's very quirky, offering potentially self-sufficient living with proven on-site income opportunities. This property could appeal to anyone who might embrace a maritime life and all The Sail Lofts has to offer. 

What The Owner Says

We have loved every moment here. It was our dream as a lifestyle choice. This property will surely appeal emotionally to the incoming buyer as it did for us – for sailors or water lovers, and for the heritage of this area of berth holders and locals. Now I need to move closer to my family in Kent and return to my boat whenever I feel ‘homesick’.

History & Background

This is a most exciting part residential/part commercial waterside property - known as The Sail Lofts on Hythe Quay, set in the former yard of 19th and 20th Century sailmakers from firstly Josepheph Sadler in 1890 then over 100 years prior (from the early 1700’s), it was a working coal yard and warehousing offloading grain via the Thames Sailing Barges which transported goods from home and abroad More recently, during the 20th and 21st centuries, our clients have lovingly restored the buildings to provide characterful accommodations and service rooms (Disabled w.c/shower/w.c) for the marina. The conversions of the last sailmaker’s workshop and the separate historic Grade II listed former maritime granary which now provides loft (first floor) open plan accommodation that offers stunning views immediately over the water. The Loft Room is currently on Cottages.com for holiday rental with returning guests just mesmerised by its prime waterfront position. 

The one double bedroom single storey converted sail makers workshop serves as the main living accommodation with the detached adjacent first-floor loft over the historic workshop serving as ancillary accommodation.

 A CLUED (certificate of lawfulness) was achieved in 2022 for these areas to be officially used for residential purposes. The sailmaker's lawn and car park area allow for kayak and dry mooring storage with a ramp onto the pontoon to reach the 20 tidal moorings. The historic marina is a private (transferable business) generating around £35,000 + Gross per annum income with a lease from Maldon District Council which manages the rights to the tidal estuary that is also designated as both SSSI and SAC, (Site of Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation).

Please see the agent's notes section for helpful and important information.

Setting & Location

The site is steeped in maritime history, soon to be depicted on a recognised Heritage Sign board dedicated to the 18th-century sail makers timber granary which once served the Thames Barges for transportation by water. Several famous Thames Barges moor on Hythe Quay alongside the neighbouring Queens Head pub/restaurant – the area recently providing the 2021 film set for ‘The Essex Serpent’.  

Access into the property is directly from The Hythe opposite Octagon Terrace – a picturesque row of Victorian Fisherman’s cottages where a high historic restored red brick wall with black timber gates lead into the premises. This area has two waterside pubs/restaurants, a Chandlery, and on the public quayside is access to the Thames Barge trips and afternoon teas. The Sail Lofts extends to a 0.28-acre site with parking for the berth holders. The expansive sail makers lawn is protected by its heritage and is often used by Maldon’s Annual Regatta for its Prize-Giving ceremony and other charity or fundraising events. The Hythe Quay also serves as part of England’s Coastal Walk which runs the circumference of our British coastline.

The property is on The Blackwater Estuary in the historic maritime town of Maldon on England’s East Coast. The town is within a daily commute for London with its nearest rail station at Hatfield Peverel or Witham and nearest City of Chelmsford.

The Sail Maker Accommodation

A delightful single-storey sailmaker’s workshop dating from 1904 has a beautifully presented interior. The entrance hallway provides access firstly to a large double bedroom sanctuary with French doors opening onto a private courtyard and also has its own  en-suite and dressing area. The sitting and workroom with period-style radiators looks out over the lawn and leads to the generous kitchen/breakfast room providing space for a table to seat 4 to 8 people. Wood fronted cabinets matching the flooring throughout feature a Butler sink, range oven and a breakfast bar to overlook the lawn and lastly a walk-in cupboard houses a utility facility. 

The Sail Loft (Granary Barn)

This magnificent Grade II listed former Granary is located on the water's edge with its lower floor doors that open onto decking over water (once access for Barges). Part of the character of the building is that the lower level has a Spring Tidal Flow, albeit it is used as a workshop with storage and shelving about 80mm off the floor. External stairs lead up to the loft room which is beside the accommodation. The loft is simply a stunning open-plan room with windows to every aspect providing panoramic views and outlooks directly over the water. The room with its original flooring is vast while featuring painted numerals on timbers into the vaulted ceiling. A raised bedside seating area provides a living painting of the waterside – a treat for ornithologists with Avocets, geese, curlew, ducks and more calling or feeding plus sailors, and anyone who enjoys the tranquillity of life on the water. The room includes a separate shower room, a cosy sleeping alcove and a vintage kitchen galley unit.

The Bath House & Utility Building

The berth holder shower or utility building has underfloor heating, a washing machine as well as disabled w.c & shower with a further separate w.c.

The bath house, formerly a stable, was rebuilt as a summerhouse with a hot tub and is adjacent to the private walled courtyard/BBQ garden. 

Marina

A pontoon provides access to 19 Marina type pontoon tidal moorings. The mooring rights are leased through Maldon District Council at approximately £450 per quarter. The freehold property has riparian rights for the immediate foreshore berths. 

Exterior

The property offers extensive road frontage with a high period red brick wall and double entry gates providing secure parking and private access to the private residence and private marina. Surrounding the outbuildings are two small courtyard areas for BBQ’s, al-fresco dining and seating.

Agents Notes

• Absolute Freehold Title EX439913
• Listing known as Taylor & Sons Sailmakers Granary Barn 1256345
• Buyers looking to purchase with the intention of borrowing should be advised that the dwellings do not hold any formal building regulation approvals or certificates as formal residency was achieved through a CLUED (certificate of lawfulness) in 2022. The premises would also likely be classified as part commercial. 
• Spring Tidal Waters flow through The Grade II Listed Sail Loft ground floor, hence shelving and storage being on a suitably high level. This historically has always occurred and is part of the original building used to store grain above vermin predation levels and with doors at water level where above was the loft room also with doors and now wonderful accommodation.
• Our client requests a personal lifetime berth for her 54 ft boat to remain on the marina Ex Gratia. 
• Flood Zones 2 and 3. Our client is insured and buyers should note that the main dwelling and sail loft are situated in an elevated position from the water's edge.
• Our client has completed a client questionnaire which may provide potential buyers with additional information.

Services

Mains Water

Mains Electricity

Mains Gas

Pump to Mains Drainage 

 PLEASE CALL FOR A FULL BROCHURE