AN ICONIC Grade-II listed building in Bradford has been sold for £6.5 million.

The iconic Hallmark House has been bought by The Investment Room, a Yorkshire-based residential property investor .

There are now plans to build between 150 and 200 homes on the site, both in Hallmark House and an adjacent warehouse, together with a new-build development,

It follows the relocation of Hallmark Cards and its 500 staff from the Bingley Road site to Dawson Lane, Dudley Hill.

The Art Deco Hallmark House was built in 1937 and was extensively refurbished in 2001.

Simon Dove, partner with Dove Haigh Phillips, which brokered the sale, said: “This was an excellent opportunity for a residential development in the heart of West Yorkshire, which is reflected in the healthy sale price.

“Hallmark House is a stunning four-storey property on the edge of Airedale, which has immense potential.

"We believed it provided the perfect opportunity for a residential conversion and this has proved to be the case.

“This area is fast becoming a hotspot for the development of new residential property. Persimmon has plans for 1,000 homes nearby, graphically underlining the strength of the market in West Yorkshire.

“When we began to market Hallmark House, we explored a variety of potential uses, including health care, education and offices, but a residential development always looked the most likely – and so it proved."

He added: “We are delighted that the magnificent Hallmark House is now going to get a new lease of life.”

The building has a rich history. During the 1930s, W N Sharpe of Bradford built Hallmark House as the headquarters for its successful printing business.

In 1984 Hallmark Cards, the family-owned international greetings card business, acquired W N Sharpe’s printing operation for nearly £21m.

The colonnaded office building was completely refurbished and opened as Hallmark House in 2001.

It is understood that The Investment Room will name its new development after W N Sharpe.

Mr Dove added: “This new development will create an exclusive environment in a delightful and attractive semi-rural position.

"The property overlooks mature woodland and countryside, two golf courses, private housing and local schools.”

The property lies in a prominent position between the outer Bradford residential suburbs and the Airedale towns and villages of Shipley, Cottingley and Bingley.

The relocation of the headquarters was announced in 2015.

At the time, Steve Wright, Hallmark's international chief executive, said: “We’re excited about the opportunity that moving to Dawson Lane presents. The essence of our company is design and creativity and the relocation gives us an opportunity to re-shape our head office and ensure that it fits our needs as both a creative and customer focussed business."