DESCENDANTS of the man responsible for creating Ipswich's landmark Grimwade Memorial Hall today gave the renovated building their approval. The hall, which has undergone an extensive refurbishment and is now home to plush apartments, was officially re-opened by cousins Colin and Peter Grimwade at a special ceremony today.

DESCENDANTS of the man responsible for creating Ipswich's landmark Grimwade Memorial Hall today gave the renovated building their approval.

The hall, which has undergone an extensive refurbishment and is now home to plush apartments, was officially re-opened by cousins Colin and Peter Grimwade at a special ceremony today.

Their great, great grandfather's brother, Edward, who was mayor of Ipswich in 1869, was a leading light in the Methodist community and was largely responsible for the fundraising efforts to build the church and associated buildings in the 1860s.

Peter said: “The developers have made a very good job of it. The workmanship looks superb.

“They could have knocked the building down but they decided not to and I think that was the right decision.

“I am in contact with one of Edward's direct descendants who lives in Australia so I will be sending him the pictures of the hall.”

Colin added: “It is nice to retain some of the history of Ipswich.”

The cousins unveiled a foundation stone bearing their names above the original one laid on September 9, 1869.

The building fell into disrepair in the 1990s and was bought in a dilapidated state in 2004 by developer Braceforce, which ignored recommendations to pull it down.

The detailed edifice and the original hall have been preserved, following close consultation with Ipswich Borough Council's conservation officers.

Two separate blocks have been added at the rear of the building, allowing it to house 35 apartments. Already, 30 have been sold, with owners expected to move in before Christmas.

Prices range from £120,000 for a one-bed apartment to £175,000 for a two-bed apartment with waterside views.

John Di Carlo, Braceforce's marketing director, said: “I would very much like to pay tribute to the help and co-operation we received from the local authority and the conservation panel.

“The end result has been the creation of an aesthetically pleasing, sympathetically converted historic building.”