A former community centre in Newport city centre has been sold for £100,000 and could be transformed into apartments.

The detached Victorian era, three-storey Baneswell Community Centre and nursery, was sold by Paul Fosh Auctions, having been listed with a guide price of £95,000-plus.

And the new owner has revealed proposals to convert the former Newport City Council-owned building into a collection of residential apartments.

Architect and urban designer Ali Alzahid has joined forces with business partner Peter Bacon, the construction project manager, to realise the scheme.

Mr Alzahid, managing director of Cardiff-based Urbanvestments, said: “The former community centre, which was being sold as it was surplus to the city council’s requirements, is in an ideal location for what we propose. It is close to the Friars Walk shopping centre, the train station and the Admiral building.

“We hope to be able to get on site by summer next year and then be able to deliver the scheme in 18 months subject to successfully obtaining planning approval for our scheme.”

The detached former community centre and nursery with space arranged over three floors is in a central location at St Mary Street, close to the junction with West Street, in the Baneswell area of Newport.

Paul Fosh, owner of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “The large stone-built property, which is located in the largely residential area of Baneswell, has a wide range of space inside and outside and could be put to a number of alternative uses subject to obtaining the appropriate planning consent.”

The next Paul Fosh Auctions sale is on Thursday, December 7, at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff.