Want to live in an award-winning building?

Wed, Dec 6th 2006, 11:00

Gloucester home hunters wanting to live in a historic award winning building had better act fast – Redrow’s Collingwood Crescent is almost sold out.

With a unique look, enviable Georgian features and sought-after location – it’s no wonder few homes remain at this desirable development.

The landmark property, saved by developer Redrow from the brink of ruin, also won ‘best major restoration’ at the Gloucester City Council Civic awards earlier this year.

The award came following the completion of a major refurbishment of the Grade II listed, 19th century Horton Road Hospital, which, after 12 years of neglect, has been restored to its former glory by Redrow and renamed Collingwood Crescent.

Lorraine Kendrick, sales director for Redrow Homes (South West) says: “Collingwood Place is a perfect example of Redrow’s diverse property range. It not only features the refurbishment of the 19th century hospital into 79 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, but is also surrounded by new homes carefully created to complement the stunning centre piece - The Crescent.”

The Crescent retains much of its original character but offers contemporary city living at its very best. Redrow has preserved many original features such as the sash windows, painstakingly numbering and recording the position of every original frame in the building so they could be removed, repaired and replaced in exactly the same position.

“It’s no surprise that we’re down to our final few homes – each apartment is absolutely wonderful with most of the hospital’s architectural sought-after features,” adds Lorraine.

Where features could not be repaired, exact copies of the original woodwork, such as six-inch deep, solid wood skirting boards and architraves have been fitted. The building is also capped with cast iron roof tiles, thought to be a very rare example of their kind and also featured on the Houses of Parliament.

And for home buyers who can complete before Christmas, Redrow is offering a one-bedroom apartment, in the stunning Crescent building, for only £123,995. Priced under the stamp duty threshold of £125k, this could offer one first time buyer the chance to get on the ladder in style.

Lorraine continues: “I would encourage anyone searching for a new home to come along to see inside all of the available apartments, which offer a great insight into what life could be like at The Crescent. The winning combination of old and new is sure to be a big hit with everyone who chooses to become part of the community here at Collingwood.

“Purchasers will enjoy all the appeal of a period style home steeped in history and character, but none of the pitfalls that sometimes come with a centuries-old property, such as constant repairs and updating. Instead they’ll get modern fixtures and fittings and all the practical benefits and easy maintenance of a brand new home.”

The Crescent is full of history and Redrow has gone to great lengths to retain as much of it as possible.  Building work on Horton Road Hospital began in 1815 and the hospital opened in 1823. It closed in March 1988, after which it stood decaying for some 12 years before it was acquired by Redrow for a life saving renovation.

Collingwood Place is ideally situated near to Gloucester city centre, within one mile of the bustling shopping streets of Northgate, Eastgate, Southgate and Westgate. The development also offers easy access to the M5 motorway.

For more information call a member of the sales team on 0845 676 0345