Murad Qureshi

AN empty feeling can certainly be seen in the long-tortured history of Centre Point as both an office block and now as an apartment block.

As a landmark office block Centre Point lay empty for many decades and now the same may appear to be happening as it has been converted into residential homes, going by the remarks of the developers.

They announced that they are no longer putting up for sale the 50 per cent of flats that remain as no one is coming forward to make offers.

But this is not just happening at the top end of the office and housing market, properties lying empty after their conversion, but also at the other end of the property market.

Take a look at 70 to 76 Bell Street, NW1.

A few years back these properties were also converted from offices into four three-bed town houses which have now been empty for over two years and have not even been rented out in the meantime.

This may make sense financially on the bank balances of property companies but, economically, certainly not in the neighbourhood that many schemes are based in.

Councils like Camden and Westminster could do well to follow what another London borough is doing in the immediate future.