A four-storey apartment block in the center of the Isle of Man capital, formerly used as council housing, is to be sold on the open market.

Built in the 1930s, Douglas Council’s 56-unit Lord Street development was boarded up in 2022 after tenants were moved to a more modern building on Peel Road.

Housing and Property Committee chairman Devon Watson said the old flats were “no longer suitable” due to a “lack of modern facilities”.

Proceeds from the sale would be reinvested in future housing projects, as well as the maintenance and renovation of existing properties, he said.

The Lord Street building is divided into four blocks linked to a communal courtyard.

Watson said the premises had no lift, parking or a secure entrance, and while the apartments had “served Douglas well”, they were some of the “most dated” apartments on the council estate.

The authority has increased its housing stock with the completion of the development of 66 apartments in 2022, and planning approval was also granted that year for the creation of 48 two-bedroom apartments in Willaston.

The authority was committed to providing “quality, efficient and affordable homes” and the team was “dedicated to improving living standards”, Watson added.

Council leader Claire Wells said it was an “obvious step” for the authority and offered an opportunity for investors to “regenerate an outstanding area of ​​Lower Douglas”.