A former adult education centre in the heart of Gravesend has sold for £1.523 million after triggering a bidding battle at auction—almost four times its initial guide price.
The prominent building, positioned at the junction of Darnley Road and St James’s Road with views over Gravesend railway station, went under the hammer with a guide price of £400,000-plus. Its final sale price stunned auctioneers and observers alike.
Experts say the site could lend itself to a wide range of commercial or residential uses, subject to planning approval.
The property was one of 167 lots featured in Clive Emson Auctioneers’ final sale of 2025. The company, which operates across Essex, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the West Country, hosts eight auctions a year and specialises in land and property sales.
Several other sites also secured strong results. A garage and yard at the rear of 1 Gladeswood Road in Belvedere, guided at £40,000-plus, sold for £54,000.
In Northfleet, a semi-detached three-bedroom house requiring improvement at 61 Tennyson Walk sold for £326,000. Meanwhile, a three-bedroom end-terrace property at 63 Raphael Road in Gravesend, guided at £170,000–£180,000, achieved £215,000.
Further afield, a semi-detached two-bedroom home with development potential at 72 Crofton Road, Orpington, sold for £397,000—above its £375,000–£385,000 guide.
Director and auctioneer Kevin Gilbert said: “On the ground floor is the main entrance and reception as well as the jewellery studio, storerooms, cafeteria leading to courtyard, pottery room with stores, the hall, computer room, six further rooms, ladies and gents WCs and further cloakroom/WC.
“There are three rooms on the mezzanine level and on the first floor are the landing, dance studio, lecture room, computer room, three interconnecting rooms with bifold doors, five further rooms, walkway and ladies and gents WC.
“There is a second mezzanine room between the first and second floors – with seven rooms on the second floor.
“Outside are Hut 7 and 8 - a detached building comprising two educational rooms with toilets.
“We had a huge amount of interest in the lot with many bidders seeing its potential.
“It is a substantial building in a prominent location and it will be interesting to see what plans its new owner has.”
Entries for Clive Emson’s first sale of 2026 are now open. Bidding is scheduled to run from 9–11 February, with the online catalogue available from 21 January.