Former Allegro Music Shop in Chelmsford Bought in £630,000 Deal
The former Allegro Music shop in Chelmsford High Street is set for a major transformation after two local brothers bought the five-storey building for £630,000.
Chelmsford-born brothers Noah Collard, 25, and Evan Collard, 24, have purchased the prominent former music shop at 95 High Street, which was home to Allegro Music for more than 20 years.
The brothers are now planning an ambitious redevelopment which will bring two new businesses to the ground floor and two high-end duplex apartments to the upper floors.
If everything goes to plan, the project is expected to be completed by August 2027.
Two new businesses planned for former Allegro shop
One of the most interesting parts of the redevelopment for Chelmsford High Street is what will happen at ground level.
The building has frontage onto both Chelmsford High Street and Tindal Street, allowing the ground floor to be divided between two businesses.
One will face onto the High Street, while a second will face Tindal Street.
The identities of the businesses have not yet been announced.
That means another two potential additions to Chelmsford city centre could eventually emerge from a building previously occupied by a single retailer.
New apartments above Chelmsford High Street
The upper floors are set to become residential accommodation.
The brothers, who run Long Term Lettings Ltd, plan to create two spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex apartments, each with its own entrance into the city centre.
Although the building potentially has room for a third apartment, the developers have decided to concentrate on creating two larger homes.
Noah said the additional space would make each apartment more comfortable rather than attempting to squeeze another property into the development.
£630,000 purchase of five-storey building
The former Allegro building is substantial.
Extending across five storeys and covering more than 3,500 square feet, the property includes basement, ground-floor and upper-floor accommodation.
Before its sale, the freehold property was marketed with a guide price of £650,000.
Its dual frontage and upper floors were specifically highlighted as offering redevelopment opportunities, including the possibility of residential accommodation above the commercial space.
The brothers eventually secured the property for £630,000.
The purchase was not straightforward, however.
It took around 10 months from their offer being accepted to receiving the keys as they worked through the process of securing investment for their first major development.
Chelmsford brothers take on first major development
Despite both being in their twenties, Noah and Evan have already been running their property business since 2022.
Noah previously worked in recruitment before deciding to go into business with his brother and later worked for consulting firm Mercer, advising investors on financial decisions.
Their property company has operated online for the past two years, but the High Street redevelopment will also provide them with a physical business presence.
OMG Developments has been appointed as principal contractor for the project.
The brothers also hope the development can eventually provide opportunities for other young people interested in entering the property industry, including potential apprenticeships and practical experience.
What happened to Allegro Music in Chelmsford?
The redevelopment follows Allegro Music's departure from Chelmsford High Street after many years at the site.
The independent music business hasn't disappeared from Chelmsford, however.
Allegro relocated to significantly larger premises at Baddow Antique Centre in Great Baddow, where its new music superstore has five dedicated showrooms.
The Great Baddow location also houses an expanded Allegro Music Academy, with larger teaching rooms and free on-site parking.
The company described the move as a new chapter for the business after many years on Chelmsford High Street.
Another change for Chelmsford High Street
The redevelopment is the latest change to Chelmsford's retail landscape.
While the loss of a long-established High Street business can often leave another empty unit behind, the plans for 95 High Street could ultimately bring two commercial occupiers and new city-centre homes into the property.
Work will now continue on converting the substantial building, with the Collard brothers hoping to have the project completed by August 2027.
The big question for shoppers will be what businesses eventually occupy those two ground-floor units.
Chelmsford City Hub will update this story when the new businesses are announced.