As Conservation Accredited Architects we will always look for a ‘wise use’ for a building, encouraging it to grow as we believe careful and responsible management of the building and surrounding environment is vital to its long term survival. An empty building is going to deteriorate over time, but if you can breathe new life into it with a new use – it will flourish. We were approached by the Trinity Hospital Estates Charity to help them with the conversion of the former Grade II listed Newcastle Arms Coaching Inn that they were looking to purchase. As always we were excited at the prospect of being part of this ambitious project to find a re-use for this tired and unloved heritage building in Retford.
We worked with the client to prepare outline proposals to look at the various ways the building and site could be adapted and each option was carefully considered and assessed against the heritage impact
Through meetings and discussions we were able to provide recommendations to take forward proposals for the changes, which received full planning and listed building consent.
We are pleased to announce that the conversion of the inn is now complete. The newly re-named Newcastle House provides a new base for the Charity on the ground floor, with six large high quality two bed flats for the rental market above. The individually designed flats are colour co-ordinated throughout, with a penthouse suite on the second floor and a ground floor suite in the former stables and they all come with secure parking spaces within a gated community.
We were delighted to be invited to the opening celebrations which mark the end of the renovations and the opening of the new Charity offices. The Charity are well known for providing quality accommodation at an affordable price and all of the flats are now rented out.