Hugh Petter of Robert Adam Architects was recently interviewed in the new Wykeham Life magazine regarding the restoration of Minster House in Winchester.
The Grade I listed, chequer brick town house dates from the early 18th century and occupies an outstanding position in The Close, opposite the west door of Winchester cathedral. The property was once the home of the mayor of Winchester and later became a bank before returning to use as a family residence. However, in recent years the property has been crudely divided into three separate units, and the unsympathetic building work involved in this subdivision has meant that many original features have been lost.
The new owners of the property have now brought in Robert Adam Architects to reinstate the property as an elegant family home, restoring original features and repairing the fabric of the building. Minster cottage tucked away to the rear by the original walled garden was originally an extension of the main house built in the 1770’s and will reinstated into the main fabric of the building. Rooms on ground floor that had previously been divided by modern partition walls will also carefully restored to their original configuration. The works will retain and develop the character of the building, reinstating the property to its former glory as a prime family home in an important historic setting.
