Project
Appointed by developer Abbey Development Company as contract administrators, Eddisons supported a three-year redevelopment and conversion of a historic town centre building on St Mary’s Street, Stamford, for modern residential use. The project was in excess of £3 million.
Approach
Our Kettering and Northampton teams led a clear and commercially viable path through a complex set of redevelopment plans, which held a very strong end vision for the high-end appeal of the residential accommodation, while preserving the integrity of building and respecting its external façade as a landmark building in the historic market town.
This meant navigating through the maze of planning considerations, including liaison with Historic England, building material requirements sensitive to the neo-classical fabric of the original building which dates back to the early 1800s.
The project comprised twelve months of preparation before commencing, and a concluding two-year build programme with sensitivity.
Community liaison was key to address and reassure concerns for a much-loved local landmark holding historic connections with the local aristocracy; 19th Century politicians and civic dignitaries who helped to shape the character of the Lincolnshire market town.
The hotel was built in 1810 for use as the headquarters for the local Whigs, with the nearby The George Hotel being the base for Tories and their supporters.
Highlights of the restoration and redevelopment project have included:
- Careful removal, storage and restoration of a statue of Lady Justice to its original place on the roof of the building
- Reconciling building regulations for apartment buildings that included water misting fire attenuation measures within the restrictions of a Listed building
- Roof, leadwork and stone repairs
- Installation of video entry intercom system
- Smoke control, automatic opening vent (AOV) as part of the restoration of the original cupola roof light
- Creation of three new courtyards
Results
A modern luxury townhouse and seven apartments, which were marketed as ‘The Old Stamford Hotel’ by a local residential estate agent. Many were pre-sold, off-plan, with the development commanding premium selling prices - of which a guide price of £825,000 for the 2-bedroom penthouse, £800,000 for the 2-bedroom ballroom apartment and the 3-bedroom town house offered at a guide price of £650,000 are indicative.
Eddisons was further appointed as property manager for the apartments and the core common parts.
Subsequently, the Building Consultancy team was appointed by the same developer as the project manager and contract administrator for the conversion of a Listed property on St Mary’s Street, from one set of commercial premises to three private residential flats with courtyard gardens and the reconfiguration of the commercial element to become the new ground floor office of the previous commercial occupier, Hurfords Estate Agency.
Again, Eddisons will act as property manager for the service charge across the properties.
