A Brief History of Hawksley House

Posted on February 16, 2016

Staying in a serviced apartment for work or pleasure has become all the rage in recent years. As well as offering the freedom to enjoy a home away from home in a prime city centre location with a multitude of facilities right on your doorstep, opting for a serviced apartment in Sunderland provides so much more. One example of a serviced apartment building that delivers on so many levels is Hawksley House, a historic, Grade II listed dwelling that has become one of our most popular choices for those searching for a corporate let or visiting the city.

Read on to discover more about the history of this impressive serviced apartment building and find out how you can enjoy a stay at a highly competitive nightly, weekly or monthly rate.

A tale of two brothers

In addition to being rather inspiring to look at, Hawksley House is a landmark destination that highlights the area’s long standing connection with water related projects. The building itself was the brainchild of two brothers – architects William Milburn and Thomas Ridley Milburn – both of which were born and bred in Sunderland. Originally constructed as offices for Sunderland and South Shields Water Company, Hawksley House reached completion in 1907 and was, and still is, the jewel in the crown of John Street.

The building has only recently been converted into serviced apartments, with the name Hawksley House relating to its link with Thomas and Charles Hawksley, a father and son who were prominent civil engineers on Sunderland’s water supply scene in the 19th century.

Built to impress

It’s not just the building’s beauty from the outside that captures the attention of those searching for serviced apartments, the interior of Hawksley House is equally as impressive. Built from a mixture of red sandstone and ashlar, and finished with a slate roof, the exterior utilises neoclassical features to ensure impact from every angle whilst the interior takes inspiration from the baroque era with its open stairwell and signature glazed dome creating an iconic finish across its three floors.

Renting a Hawksley House apartment

Hawksley House is just one of the serviced buildings that we actively manage in the heart of Sunderland, and renting an apartment here couldn’t be easier. To check availability and/or book online please click here or contact our team direct on 0191 510 9950 to discuss your requirements.