He had called for the sale of Piquet House to be blocked and for the States to find an alternative use for it that would benefit the community.
After sensing the mood of the House, Assistant Treasury Minister Eddie Noel, who has responsibility for States property and had been leading plans for the sale of the property to a private buyer, made a U-turn.
He agreed to support the part of the proposition that scrapped the sale having earlier spoken out against the move.
Jersey Property Holdings, which administers the States property portfolio, now has 12 months to look into alternative uses for the building that fits with its history and location.
