Turning Historic Buildings into Elegant Homes and Offices
The UK is privileged in that it has so many historic buildings. Some towns may boast grand estates with impressive manors, while others have Victorian prisons or hospitals which are ripe for conversion.
Whilst the buildings may no longer be suitable for their original purpose, they can be carefully converted and renovated to provide homes or offices in key locations.
Churches, lighthouses, old police stations, windmills, water towers and former breweries are among the landmark buildings which have been turned into homes. With the demise of the traditional British pub, many of these fine buildings are also being converted,, and they can command a good price as they are generally centrally located.
It goes without saying that these buildings, which have played an important part in local history, need to be sympathetically renovated. The key is to keep the interesting features while creating a home which is easy to live in and has all the mod-cons that people expect.
The work needs to be carried out by a specialist construction firm which knows the correct materials to use while working in historically rich or environmentally sensitive environments. City and Country uses exceptional design and build standards to sensitively convert and restore historic sites while embracing the needs of modern living too. The company has won awards for its conservation, restoration and conversion of historic and listed buildings.
One award was for the sympathetic conversion of the King Edward VII Estate in in the South Downs National Park in West Sussex, with its mix of Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings being converted into 162 apartments along with a restoration of the gardens and impressive communal areas.
Unique Chance to Save a Piece of History
Creating a new use for an important landmark is a unique chance to cherish history and preserve great British buildings. Otherwise, some may fall into disrepair and be lost forever.
In England, there are more than 376,000 listed buildings as well as countless other important landmarks and interesting buildings which are not listed. Building regulations place restrictions on listed buildings and within conservation areas to protect their special nature. That is why it is so important to use a specialist building, such as City and Country, when carrying out restoration work.
The building will need to be assessed to find out which features can be saved and which need repairing or are beyond salvation. This could include keeping features such as staircases, windows and timber frames. Any new buildings or building works will be carried out using traditional materials so they are in sympathy with their surroundings.
Converting Historic Homes for Modern Living
The interior design needs to be carefully planned so that it is both beautiful and practical, highlighting unusual and interesting features while also being modern. City and Country aims to breathe new life into historic homes and landmarks by using strong designs and traditional craftsmanship to provide unique homes suitable for modern life.