Landmark Ilkley building rescued from disrepair and transformed into a luxury home - yours for £1.9m

A landmark building near Ilkley that was rescued from disrepair and transformed into a luxury family home has this week been put up for sale as its owners embark on another design challenge.

The former Yorkshire Water filter station, nestling high above the famous moors at Burley Woodhead, was little more than a ramshackle reminder of its previous life when Justin and Laura Whitston fell in love with it – and its potential.

From the minute they witnessed first-hand the panoramic view it commands, their eyes were opened to a vision of a different kind – to remodel it into family home.

And so began a six-year journey to create a home and living experience whose bespoke design was inspired by its view of the Wharfe Valley, flooding rooms with natural light.

The Old Filter Station is now on the market for the first time with a guide price of £1.9m, as the Whitstons prepare for a new adventure overseas – and another innovative property design project.

“The home opens a unique window on Yorkshire’s world and offers one of the most breathtaking views of the county’s best countryside,” said technology entrepreneur Justin. “You can watch the sun rise and set from the same chair – following its whole path during the day.”

“We dreamed this property – and thankfully have been lucky enough to have lived that dream,” added Justin. “Bringing it to life from the empty shell we inherited was a labour of love.

“Another chapter in our lives now beckons and we feel the time is right to say goodbye to this home and its lifestyle-led design, and take on another similar challenge.”

The heart of the property is naturally framed on three sides by floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sliding doors, with its kitchen and dining/living area leading to a two-tier terrace with hot tub.

Its 180-degree, uninterrupted panorama stretches as far as the eye can see, taking in landscapes as far away as Bradford, Leeds and Almscliffe Crag, near Harrogate.

The Whitstons’ project, however, did not get off to a dream start. Within months of the original conversion work being launched, the building – which dates to 1861 and was known locally as the Water Board House – was battered by 70mph gales in the storms of April 2011 while being underpinned, and toppled to the ground.

It was a case of going back to the drawing board – quite literally – for the family who, undeterred, revised their plans for the site and rebooted the challenge that lay in front of them of transforming it into a modern home.

They harvested the original stone to create a new unique and contemporary home, spanning three floors and no less than circa 5,700 sq ft of multi-functional living space.

This includes a self-contained cinema; sauna and two steam rooms; entertainment room, including a bar; spacious independent dressing room with en-suite facilities; home working area; and Mediterranean-inspired terraces.

The property is being marketed through the Ilkley office of Linley & Simpson, whose Head of Residential Sales Mark Christopher said: “One of the first and most important things that buyers tell us they look for in a new home is the view.

“This family home lays claim to having one of the most stunning and scenic views in Yorkshire. And it boasts a design and architectural flair to match.

“In a unique way, it brings the outside into the house on warm sunny days, when you are able to relax and soak up the atmosphere of country living.

“The spacious accommodation has been cleverly designed in its layout – offering the epitome in versatility to suit the needs of a variety of different owners.

“This is particularly evident on the ground floor, where there is scope for different room use – such as an extra bedroom accommodation - if this was preferred.”

Underfloor heating has been provided throughout, and property is fitted with the latest in high-speed satellite-powered internet technology, integrated Sonos sound systems, as well as high-quality finishes in terms of all bathrooms and en-suite facilities, with Duravit fittings and Hansgrohe tropical rain showers throughout.

The luxurious master bedroom has a particularly attractive vaulted ceiling, creating a real sense of space. Located on the first floor, it has again has been designed to take full advantage of the superb outlook with its own glass-fronted private terrace as outside space.

Externally, The Old Filter Station has an integral triple garage with a block-paved driveway providing additional parking and enclosed by feature stone walls.

The Old Filter Station is located at Green Lane, Burley Woodhead, and is for sale through the Ilkley office of Linley & Simpson on Brook Street. Full details can be found herewww.linleyandsimpson.co.uk. Confidential discussions are available by calling Mark Christopher, Head of Residential Sales, direct on 07787 698480.