Derelict Gresham house sold by Middlesbrough Council for £2,000 transformed for artists
New vs old - inside the £2K property sold from Middlesbrough Council to Creative Factory
A derelict house sold by Middlesbrough Council has been injected with a new lease of life. The property, on Princes Road in Gresham, left the council’s portfolio six months ago, in October 2025 for just £2,000 - the cheapest sale of any council asset in recent years.
The property is now in the hands of Creative Factory, who have transformed the dwelling into two one-bed apartments for artists to rent out at an “affordable” price says Anna Byrne, director of Creative Factory. The not for profit organisation has also purchased and refurbished a neighbouring property as apartments, which are designed for artists, makers and creative practitioners who want to live, work and contribute to the local community.
The four apartments will be rented to “creatives” who will take part in projects that have a positive impact in the area, including skill sharing, workshops, events and creative activity for local people. The initiative is part of Creative Factory’s wider mission to support creative talent in the region while helping bring empty properties in Middlesbrough back into use.
Creative Factory is also working on a project to revitalise a commercial town centre property - the former H.Samuel jewellers on LinthorpeRoad - with ambitions of opening an art gallery in the unit by September, which would coincide with the Turner Prize coming to Middlesbrough. Ms Byrne said that the infrastructure is being developed so that creative people can “thrive” in Middlesbrough.
Dealer caught with wads of cash, knuckle duster and CS spray showed off gangster lifestyle
‘Forget about the one in Sydney’: Teessiders’ views on future of Transporter Bridge
Ms Byrne added: “Creative Factory is all about bringing out the best of talent in Middlesbrough. We’ve got amazing creatives in our region. Rather than them going elsewhere, we want to make sure they have the space and support they need to grow in our town.” The apartments on Princes Road are now on the market for rent, with Ms Byrne explaining that two of them have already been snapped up by musicians.
The Creative Factory director further discussed how a “microcluster” for artists is being created, with the aim of achieving “creative regeneration” in that area, detailing how murals that will be put up on the outside of the buildings, with two local artists undertaking workshops with the local community in the coming months - a “bright and vibrant” display should be achieved.
Creatives who rent the properties sign up to an assured shorthold tenancy - an initial six months and then monthly. Creative Factory is working with the Ethical Lettings Agency, who are looking after the property management side of things. There are wider ambitions to increase the number of properties for creatives in the area.
“Once you put artists in a little group together, they can’t help but start creating things”, Ms Byrne added. A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "Transforming derelict properties into homes supporting our thriving cultural sector is a massive positive for the town.
"The council's ambition is for people to live, work, study and spend their leisure time in Middlesbrough town centre and encouraging more high quality developments like this supports that aim."
The property was acquired by the council as part of the Gresham Regeneration Project, but plans to redevelop this part of Princes Road were scaled back when Housing Market Renewal Funding was withdrawn by government. It was subsequently leased out but had fallen into serious disrepair.