• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Thursday May 15 2025

First new homes at historic Bath Press site come to the market

A collection of townhouses located at the historic site of the former Pitman Press Printing Works in Bath have gone up for sale – with prices nudging £1 million.

The Pitman Press was founded in 1889 by Sir Isaac Pitman, famous for inventing the world’s most widely used shorthand system. He later became an established editor, printer and publisher.

Over the decades, the site was home to Pitman’s Fifth Phonetic Institute, Pitman Press, and later The Bath Press – once the city’s largest employer.

The 5.3 acre site became vacant in 2007, and in March 2024 was acquired for redevelopment by independent developer, City & Country.

Identified as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset, the original 19th century building façade has been retained, along with its iconic chimney.

The first phase of the new development, known as Bath Press, comprises 146 energy efficient homes, including three and four bedroom townhouses and one, two and three bedroom apartments, set among landscaped gardens, with a mix of internal courtyards, surrounding green spaces, roof terraces and a playground.

There will also be 16,200 sq. ft. office space.

The first homes within phase one have now been released for sale by Savills, with prices ranging between £925,000 and £975,000.

Hunter Harling, head of residential development sales for Savills Bath, said: “The listed Bath Press façade is an icon of Bath’s cityscape, and this much-anticipated scheme represents a new chapter in its history.

“Under the stewardship of City & Country, Bath Press is set to become a landmark development for our city, creating one of the most exciting new residential addresses Bath has seen in many years.”

Shelley West, group sales & marketing director at City & Country, said: “As heritage experts, we are proud to be working on creating luxurious, craft-design homes on this site. Bringing Bath Press back to life in a way that respects the heritage of the former site is exceptionally important to us.”