Market Street, Harwich, CO12

5 & 6 Market Street combines home and enterprise in one inspiring package.

From the street, its historic façade exudes the charm of Old Harwich, drawing the eye of passers-by with centuries-old brickwork and internal timbered character that has historically made a delightful storefront.

Inside, the ground floor commercial space unfolds into multiple open-plan rooms ready to be fitted to your dream business space. High ceilings and large front windows flood the interior with natural light, offering an inviting ambiance for customers. The layout currently connects what were once two separate shop units, giving you the option to operate as one large commercial area or keep as  two distinct sections (each with its own entrance) to suit your venture. There’s also a convenient WC/shower room on this level (partly fitted) – a practical amenity for a café / studio or for use if the space ever doubles as guest accommodation.

Every inch of the commercial floor is bursting with character, providing a memorable backdrop for retail displays, a cozy dining atmosphere or a creative showroom. As the site of past businesses ranging from a butcher and a ship’s chandler to an antiques emporium, this property has proven commercial pedigree – now it’s just waiting for your vision to write the next chapter.

Upstairs, the residential quarters offer a tranquil escape and modern comfort without losing the old-world charm. Spread over two floors, the apartment welcomes you with a stunning first-floor lounge, where heritage beams and exposed brickwork meet elegant updates like parquet wood flooring and a toasty multi-fuel stove. Adjoining the lounge is a large kitchen and dining room, fully equipped for contemporary living (modern appliances, ample storage) yet enhanced by period details like sash windows and warm wood textures.

Also on the first floor is a sleek L-shaped bathroom with a mix of vintage charm and modern fittings (including a rainfall shower head and efficient new combi boiler ). Step outside from the landing and you discover the roof terrace, a real asset of this property. Sheltered on three sides and bathed in southerly sunlight, the decked terrace with a full width retractable canopy is a private sanctuary.

On the top floor, two generous double bedrooms await, each filled with light and historic ambience. Exposed timbers and built-in wardrobe storage make these rooms both stylish and practical. Wake up to rooftop views of Old Harwich’s skyline and breathe in the coastal air. Despite the building’s age, the home has been lovingly maintained and updated – including a full exterior redecoration in 2024 – so you can enjoy the blend of old and new without compromise.

There is flexibility in that the residential and commercial sections can function either together or independently. A rear courtyard entrance allows separate access to the living quarters, which is ideal if you choose to rent out one part or prefer to keep home life private from your business entrances. In total, you have approximately 2,000+ sq.ft. of usable internal space, offering plenty of room to bring your ideas to life.

Lifestyle & Investment Potential

The building’s distinctive character gives any enterprise an instant identity – a marketing goldmine for a lifestyle brand that wants to be authentic and memorable. You can literally live above the shop, curating your business downstairs while enjoying a convenient and beautiful living space upstairs. No commute, complete control and the chance to immerse yourself in a community of fellow creatives and entrepreneurs in Historic Harwich’s revitalised town centre. The vibe here suits boutique retail, galleries, antiques/vintage shop, interior design showroom, consultancy offices, artisan workshops or even a restaurant/bistro (the ground floor’s Class E status even covers restaurant use). Whatever your vision, this building provides a stage to showcase it.

At the same time, the property’s design makes it easy to adapt for investment purposes. As a landlord, you could enjoy dual rental incomes – perhaps a long-term lease to a café or shop on the ground floor and a steady residential tenancy (or premium holiday let) upstairs. Harwich’s growing popularity with tourists and heritage enthusiasts means there’s demand for unique holiday accommodation. The upstairs apartment, with its roof terrace and historic charm, could fetch strong short-term rental yields. Alternatively, you have the option to explore a full conversion to one large dwelling, subject to the usual planning consents. The fact that the owners already have plans drawn for converting the commercial space to residential shows the feasibility – giving you a head start if a grand family home or expanded rental accommodation is your goal. The freehold tenure ensures you have total control over how you use or develop the property, with no ground rents or freeholder permissions to worry about. And because it’s offered with no onward chain, you can acquire it and start implementing your plans without delay.

Lobby / utility

4.31m x 1.68m

Connecting to the commercial space, residential space and courtyard with independent access.

Kitchen/Diner

6.53m x 4.39m

Living Room

5.53m x 4.41m

Terrace

2.86m x 3.33m

First Bedroom

4.15m x 4.26m

Second Bedroom

4.16m x 2m

Shop front one

4.81m x 4.26m

Shop front two

5.89m x 4.39m

Store / office one

3.58m x 3.16m

Store / office two

3.99m x 3.39m

Roof Terrace

South facing and private