AN eyesore building leading into the town centre which has remained empty for over ten years will finally receive some much-needed TLC thanks to a £1m investment.
The former Gusto building on Sheffield Road has been derelict for over a decade following the former restaurant’s closure - and has remained an eyesore ever since.
However, Doncaster firm R Betts has bought the building and hopes to create 12 luxury apartments as well as two retail apartments on the ground floor - whilst adding an extra storey where the roof currently sits.
Scott Drabble, director of the firm, told the Chronicle that there had some unwanted visitors in the building when they first purchased it last September - but they’re now on track to be open in March.
He added: “We had squatters initially and they kept returning.
“We had probably four or five months of design and funding things to get over.
“We found asbestos, rats, structural issues - it took us a few months to get over that but we’re well on our way now.”
Scott and his business partner Richard Betts are hoping to finally turnaround the building whilst also supporting local people and local businesses.
And he’s got big plans for the future.
He added: “We took it on in September 2023 and it came with planing.
“There's 12 apartments on there - six two-bed and six one-bed.
“There'll be two commercial apartments on the ground floor which are not let so we'll be looking for someone to take them on.
“There will be a residents' gym on the ground floor and we're aiming for luxury apartments.
“We're trying to make them high-end and attract the right sort of person.
“We overlook Oakwell and we overlook the town centre.
“We can throw a stone and hit the Alhambra Centre.
“We're putting a top-storey extension on so it will be a four-storey building.
“There will be four apartments on each of the upper floors.”
The duo are well-versed in these sorts of developments, and they’re hoping to be here for the long-term future.
“Me and my business partner Rich have been going about four years and this is our scheme,” he added.
"We’re the client here as well as the contractor.
“We do similar schemes for other people throughout Yorkshire and the Midlands.
“We have experience with these sort of buildings.
“We want to be here for the next 20 to 30 years and leave a legacy or our kids.
“That's why we do this.”
It’s hoped there will be a grand opening early in the new year.
“It was a rundown building,” he added.
“We’re long-term investors and we found this building and we wanted to make a change.
“There were a few issues funding wise at the start and unfortunately the council weren’t able to support us.
“We want to make this a much better building.
“We’re hoping the luxury apartments will be open in February or March and the shops at the same time depending on who we get tenancy wise.
“It’ll be a brand spanking new building.”
