Last chance to buy piece of history at city's former orphanage

The success of one residential development in Bristol shows signs that the region’s apartment market is flying.

Allen House by Charles Church Severn Valley is a development of one, two and three-bedroom homes on Ashley Down Road. The £5.5m scheme, which is a total renovation of a former Victorian orphanage into a range of luxury apartments, was officially opened just over four months ago by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Faruk Choudhury.

Now only seven apartments remain for sale with buyers being urged to act now if they want to become part of this new community.

Nicola Reed, sales and marketing director for Charles Church Severn Valley, said: "We are extremely proud of our work here at Allen House as the careful conversion not only meets our high standards, but also retains its historical significance.

“The development has been a phenomenal success as buyers fall in love with the sympathetic restoration. The Government’s Help to Buy scheme has also helped those who previously thought they couldn’t buy as only a 75 per cent mortgage and a 5 per cent deposit is needed. The rest is made up with a 20 per cent Government loan, which is interest and repayment free for the first five years.”

Allen House was built in the 19th century and was originally one of five orphan houses, three of which – Cabot House, Davy House, and Brunel House – are currently used by the City of Bristol College. The fourth, Muller House, has been turned into flats.

It was the first of the five barrack-type orphanage buildings to be built with donated money from 1847 to 1870 by Prussian philanthropist George Muller. After the last house had been built in 1870, Muller found himself caring for 2,000 children.

Prices at Allen House start at £180,000.

For more information, visit charleschurch.com.