Background
The Seddon Group has undertaken completed a sympathetic restoration of Grade II listed property The Dower House, in the summer of 2005, in a contract worth £3 million.
The Dower House has stood as one of Bristol's most significant architectural landmarks since the 16th century. The historic building sits on an immense stone terrace forming the high point of a projecting ridge that commands overwhelming views across Bristol and the River Frome valley.
The 1563 building is now the stately centre-piece of the 140 hectare Stoke Park, the name of the original house and estate which belonged to the Berkeley and Beaufort families for more than three centuries.
The parkland estate also carries a Grade II listing and many of the original serpentine pathways, tunnels and monuments have received the same careful attention to reclaim them from two centuries of weathering and disrepair.
Seddon worked with Architects Barton Willmore Partnership on behalf of the Stoke Park Consortium of Barratt Homes Ltd, George Wimpey Bristol Ltd and George Wimpey South West Ltd.
Project
In conjunction with the South Gloucestershire Conservation Officer, Seddon used sensitive restoration techniques to create 13 uniquely individual luxury apartments consisting of studio and one or two bedrooms within the main building. A further open plan apartment was added within The Orangery, which was commissioned around 1720 by John Symes Berkeley, to add a fashionable extension to the estate.
Work at The Dower House involved the complete refurbishment of the interior of the building, wherever possible using the original period features. The exposed beams have all been retained and meticulously restored. And where replacement was deemed necessary, these features were incorporated without sacrifice to the building's original integrity - oak floorboards and timber skirting, traditional style fireplaces and ornate cornices have all been hand-picked to suit the period.
Steve Owen, director at Seddon, based in The Chipping, Wotton-under-Edge, said: "The Dower House is a prestigious development, based in a superb location. There is a wealth of history at the site and all work was completed in a sensitive manner to create a building with a great future that is mindful of its past."
Endorsement
"Every feature of this project was unique - every flat layout, every kitchen, every door - all different and all slightly unusual. The Dower House was a huge challenge in every respect, and being of such historic importance there was no scope for quick solutions or short-cuts".
"For us the biggest challenge was finding a contractor who could take on such a difficult task. Thankfully we found the solution in Seddons, and very quickly formed a good working relationship. There were plenty of obstacles along the way, but always a will to overcome them and make steady progress towards completion".
Just as with the contract works, the finished apartments are without comparison. They have reached the market at a time when Bristol has plenty to offer those looking for something a bit different, but still sales have exceeded expectations. The initial launch event was hugely popular, and enquires have been relentless ever since"
Simon Pugh-Jones of Barton Willmore, the Consortium's Architect for the Dower House