PROPERTY
Scaling the heights – Python Properties partners Martin Johnson and Peter Broome have given the old Royal Middlehaven building a Boho boost .
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH
GROUND
High-spec office space at the heart of Boro ’ s creative cluster
ZERO
I t ’ s an eye-catching building in a historic part of Middlesbrough and thanks to a six-figure investment by owners Python Properties , it ’ s going to be a fitting flagship for what ’ s becoming one of Middlesbrough ’ s most vibrant commercial areas , the Boho Zone .
Python Properties was formed in 1997 by former cruise ship captain Martin Johnson and chartered surveyor Peter Broome .
It began in the student letting market but has made its name giving historic buildings a new lease of commercial life .
The building , previously known as Royal Middlehaven House , was bought for £ 150,000 in 2004 , with Martin and Peter knowing lots needed to be done , but convinced of its potential .
Peter says : “ Even then , there was talk about the Boho Zone and Middlehaven and we wanted to be part of it .
“ It sat empty while we worked out what to do with it , but we decided to upgrade it into first class office space .” Derelict old properties were cleared away and a new
Middlesbrough Police Station was built .
Then , after an initial major refurbishment , the building became Python Properties ’ first HQ in 2005 and the rest was let to other tenants , including DigitalCity and the planning team for Boho One .
And now , thanks to another big investment by Python
Properties , it ’ s getting a new name , Boho Zero , and a fresh new look , thanks to Bradford architects Yeme and Middlesbrough-based interior design specialists Cocoon & Bauer .
The new , high-spec conversion includes a staffed reception , a café and an art gallery , plus a range of business accommodation on the other two floors , with suites from 150 sq ft to 4,000 sq ft .
Several businesses are already , or are going to be , based there , including Virtual Armour , Viral Effect and First Choice Recruitment , as well as professional service businesses Watson Woodhouse and Halliday Reeves .
And if all goes to plan , Boho Zero should be fully let before long .
Martin says : “ It ’ s a modern building which particularly appeals to young tech companies that have come from the Boho idea and become very successful .”
As at Python Properties ’ award-winning Cargo Fleet Offices , the art gallery is proving popular .
Martin says : “ A French designer once looked at our gallery system with the regular change of exhibitions and said ‘ It will allow the building to breathe ’.”
And for Peter and Martin , the business as a whole is all about breathing new life into buildings to benefit the region they love .
Martin ’ s a Boro boy and while Peter ’ s originally from
88 | Tees Business