ONE of the best-known and most historic buildings in Ipswich is today facing a new lease of live after its total facelift was completed.Curson Lodge, on the corner of Silent Street and St Nicholas' Street, has been formally reopened by Ipswich mayor Inga Lockington after a nine-month restoration programme.

ONE of the best-known and most historic buildings in Ipswich is today facing a new lease of live after its total facelift was completed.

Curson Lodge, on the corner of Silent Street and St Nicholas' Street, has been formally reopened by Ipswich mayor Inga Lockington after a nine-month restoration programme.

The 16th century building has been empty for 15 years and was in serious danger because a chimney stack at its centre was near collapse.

Now the Ipswich Building Preservation Trust has taken over the landmark building and overseen the restoration.

It is now ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century and the whole building is on the market for £675,000.

Tom Gondris, from the IBPT, said the work had been completed almost on time and within budget and he was delighted by the work of the builders RG Carter.

He said: “We had not worked with them before, but their work on this project has been amazing. It is wonderful to see it brought back into life. Now we just have to wait for it to be occupied.”

The conversion has re-created two ground floor shops and two first-floor flats, one with two bedrooms and one with a single bedroom.

The Trust is hoping that the whole building will be bought as an investment and the new owner will find tenants for all four units.

Mr Gondris said: “This is now a wonderful building and in a great position in a busy part of the town centre. We are really looking forward to it coming back to life.”

You can see inside Curson Lodge at the weekend when it is opened as part of the Heritage Open Days in the town.