Hidden past of former Birmingham maternity home unveiled as it goes up for auction

A large property with a fascinating history as a former maternity home in Moseley and has since been converted into flats is going up for auction. The three-storey building was once a centre for unmarried mothers.

In The Victorian property, The Grange at 42 Park Hill, has long since been converted into ten self-contained flats. The property will be auctioned on December 14 and has a guide price* of £750,000+.

The freehold property was once a centre for unmarried mothers, known as the Lahai-Roi Rescue Maternity Home and The Grange Rescue Home at different stages in the middle of the 20^th century.

The Grange offered vacant possession on completion of its sale and was considered “suitable for redevelopment”, subject to planning permission.

What features does the property have?

The property is a detached three-storey building that stands back from the road behind an in and out driveway and front gardens, with car parking at the side.

The ground floor has a communal vestibule and hall, with a door leading to a large cellar, and then four self-contained flats. There is a communal landing on the first floor leading to another four self-contained flats, and another communal landing and a further two self-contained flats on the second floor.

The property has gas central heating, an intercom door entry system for each flat, fire doors, smoke alarms, emergency lighting, fire escape and a lift that services each floor.

What did the auctioneers say?

Gurpreet Bassi, chief executive at Bond Wolfe said: “This lot has a fascinating history and is likely to be very popular at auction due to its size, style and location in Moseley, one of Birmingham’s most sought after suburbs.”

The Grange is among scores of properties due to appear in Bond Wolfe’s next auction which is due to start at 9am on Wednesday 14 December.

The auction will be livestreamed via Bond Wolfe’s website with remote bidding by proxy, telephone or internet.