Yeomanry House in Castle Hill is a striking two-storey building from the early 19th century situated close to the town centre.
Previously a home for wealthy families, it was eventually used as the headquarters of the Berkshire Yeomanry when it was purchased by the army in 1906.
It was then sold to Reading Borough Council for £39,000 in 1967.
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During the council’s ownership, a drill hall was demolished and replaced by the Berkshire Records Office, with Yeomanry House being used for registrar services to store records of births, deaths and marriages.
Now the council is due to sell the building.
Yeomanry House has been on sale for eight weeks, with advertising both through Reading Voluntary and AH Lansley Estate Agents.
An advert on Rightmove states: “This unique building combines period character with modern versatility, offering an extraordinary opportunity for a range of uses. Originally constructed in the 19th century, Yeomanry House boasts stunning architectural features.
“The property sits within spacious, well-maintained grounds, providing an oasis of calm while being just minutes away from Reading’s bustling town centre.”
The advert also states that bidders should outline their proposals for the property including its intended use.
The Labour administration at the council has decided to sell the building to the highest bidder after five offers were received.
The decision selecting the bidder is due to be made at a council policy committee on Monday, April 7.
Details of the bidders, including the preferred bidder are confidential, with the selection being made in private.
No price level has been revealed either, as the advert on Rightmove states that is ‘price on application’.
Plans were approved for the conversion of Yeomanry House into a nursery serving 85 pupils in May 2022.
New 85 pupil nursery coming to Reading in planning decisions made
Such a project could have restored a historic use of the building, as the site was marked as a nursery in a map from 1802.
However, these plans appear to have been sidelined as a result of the council’s decision to put Yeomanry House up for auction.
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The history of the building has been recorded by Katie Amos, the lead for local history at Reading Central Library.
Her history also states that Yeomanry House was used to store personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Berkshire Records Office was officially renamed The Royal Berkshire Archives in August 2023, to mark the 75th anniversary of the archives being opened to the public in 1948.