‘Historical caretakers’ have preserved the original radiators of a Victorian hospital to create a traditional feel to the new homes at Belgrove Place as we discovered when we took a sneaky peak inside the new properties.
St Clement’s Hospital, located off Foxhall Road, Ipswich was built between 1866 and 1870 and designed by architect WR Ribbans.
It closed in 2002 and the Victorian building is set to have 48 new homes inside.
• Read more: St Clement’s homes green light
The properties at Belgrove Place blend period charm with contemporary living and offer buyers a chance to own a piece of the town’s history.
Darin Shaikly, managing director of Colchester-based Lanswood Residential and commercial developments said: “This building is extremely complex and intricate. The site has had a number of additions, specifically during the 1950s and 1960s, so one of our first jobs was to remove the ‘add ons’. This building and the area around it is completely unique, that is why it is so special to us.
“Our expertise as developers is to recognise the full potential of a site and see what it lends itself to be. As well as creating contemporary new homes, we wanted to create a product that is sympathetic to the building. We worked with our architect and the building fabric before deciding how we would arrange the composition of the apartments and houses.
“In this instance we have revised the layout to be led by townhouses rather than apartments which is more harmonious with the building and its sense of space. When you undertake a restoration of this kind it is essential to uphold the building’s history and design, whilst maximising its full potential.
“The existing elements are simple yet stunning. The Victorians had a great deal of respect for design and architecture and we see it as our job to uphold that. We have worked with the building to really bring it back to life.”
One example of the attention to detail is each of the original radiators are being restored to work alongside a modern boiler and heating system.
Chris Board, project manager for Lanswood adds: “As ‘historical caretakers’ it’s important we do the building justice. Every element of a project like this is a challenge. No one room is the same and therefore every new property we create will be individual. Even the scheme’s name is created by combining parts of the site’s history and giving it a modern twist.”
Fenn Wright currently has four homes on the market inside the former hospital but expects this to expand.
Plot 14 Belgrove Place which can be seen in our video and in the pictures is on sale for £475,000.
The residence has three storeys, three double bedrooms, an open-plan family/kitchen/dining room, a toilet on each floor, a study, a sitting room, and a 150ft garden with parking. The master bedroom is equipped with a dressing room and an en suite with a walk-in double shower.
The estate agents also are also marketing Plot 35.
Plot 36 has five bedrooms, three en-suites, a double garage, parking, a dressing room, a sitting room, a kitchen/dining/family room, and a shower room. This is on the market for £699,950. Plot 37 is similar to this home.
Chris Jessup, of Fenn Wright said: “Belgrove Place will appeal to many buyers looking for unique home-ownership rather than another more usual style of property, whether old or modern.
“These stunning homes blend the best of both to create an enviable residence which can’t fail to impress. Significantly, these generously proportioned homes offer the gardens and parking facilities unavailable in other homes of this type whilst access to local amenities and favoured schools is unrivalled.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here