Historic building given new life
A locally listed building, once home to the Mayor of Kidderminster, is being given a new lease of life by Elan Homes.
The Briars, built circa 1870, is an impressive property that for many years was home to a public house. Following the closure of the pub in 2008 the building fell into a state of disrepair. It was purchased by Elan Homes in 2010 and the quality developer set about lovingly restoring the building to its former glory.
Shaun McCarthy, technical director for Elan Homes, explains: “The Briars is a fine, old house and it’s thought its first occupant was the well-known solicitor, magistrate and Mayor of Kidderminster William Boycot Jnr. The main building is Victorian and is deservedly a locally listed building. For around 50 years it was operated as a pub with various extensions added to provide hotel accommodation and a restaurant. When Elan bought the former pub it had suffered vandalism and weather damage but was in average condition considering its age. We could clearly see its potential and wanted to give the building a new lease of life by restoring it to its original use as a family home.”
Elan began the restoration in November with a team of up to 25 people working on the conversion project at any one time.
A Masonic lodge which was in a 1960s extension to the rear of the original house has been demolished and the rest of the building stripped back to the original walls throughout.
Some of the windows have been retained and repaired but many were beyond repair and have been sympathetically replaced. The original roof has been retained, repaired and re-insulated.
The restoration is expected to be complete by the end of March. When finished, The Briars will be a five-bedroom executive home with four reception rooms and a large kitchen. Two of the five bedrooms will enjoy the luxury and glamour of en-suites and dressing rooms.
Priced at £550,000, one lucky purchaser could be calling The Briars ‘home’ by April.
Marie Morris, sales director for Elan Homes in the north, says: “The restoration and refurbishment of The Briars means that a beautiful period property has been preserved for future generations and while externally it looks very much as it did in its glory days, inside it’s been given a makeover to bring it into the 21st century so that it can meet the demands of modern day families. We’re offering one lucky buyer the rare opportunity to purchase a home that retains its traditional charm while also being both practical and stylish.”
As well as restoring The Briars, Elan is also building new homes in Habberley Road with a choice of four-bedroom properties available, priced from £279,995.
Elan has invested the same level of care and attention to detail in the new homes as it has in the restoration project to ensure each property is finished to the same high standard .Modern appliances have been selected for quality and visual appeal, with high specification ?xtures and ?ttings in every room. There’s also an optional design package available so purchasers can tailor-make their home.
Situated in the Habberley area, The Briars is well placed for local schools which means the homes will be a popular choice with families. They also enjoy easy access to local amenities, are just a short journey away from the centre of Kidderminster yet are also within reach of the Worcestershire countryside.
For more information, visit elan-homes.co.uk.
