WELLS House, one of the most important historic buildings in Ilkley, is to be dramatically brought back to life in an intriguing restoration programme.

Magellan, a Bradford based company, which specialises in high profile residential and commercial development projects throughout the North of England and Scotland, has recently bought the property.

The company intends to undertake the refurbishment of Wells House as well as creating a new residential development in a complementary quadrangle design.

Bill Dale, of Dale Eddison Estate Agents in Ilkley, said he was excited to be involved in the project to return such a fabulous building back to its former glory.

Mr Dale said: "The final product will be unique in terms of luxury accommodation never seen before in Ilkley."

The development programme, which will start in a few weeks' time, involves the extensive refurbishment of the grade II listed Wells House into 24 apartments, the fine restoration of the original Victorian Annexe building into four modern family houses and the sympathetic new-build of 18 two-storey town houses.

"We are working closely with the local authority conservation officers to ensure the highest standards of restoration are met," states James Robinson, of Magellan.

The architect, David Bamford, said he recognised the historical importance of Wells House

He said: "The building, which originally stood in place of The Quadrangle, would have been subservient to Wells House. The new housing development is sympathetic to this original style."

Wells House occupies an elevated position close to the edge of Ilkley Moor. It was designed in 1856 by the Victorian architect, Cuthbert Brodrick, who became famous for his designs for Leeds Town Hall and the Corn Exchange, as well as the Grand Hotel in Scarborough.

Originally built as a hydropathic establishment, a place where people could go to receive a variety of water treatment cures whilst staying in a pleasant environment, Wells House is thought to have been one of the first purpose-built hotels in the world.

However a combination of the decline in the popularity of hydropathic establishments and two world wars meant that Wells House went into a state of decline. By the time the council took over the building for use as a college in the 1950s, Wells House was in considerable disrepair.

Last year saw the closure of the Ilkley College buildings, and the relocation to the Bradford & Ilkley Community College main campus in Bradford.