AMBITIOUS RENOVATIONS
Big dreams & décor schemes
Brave property enthusiasts are taking on historic buildings and transforming them for a new era
FEATURE SARA EMSLIE
Property renovators often talk about their trials and tribulations, of escalating budgets, and living in abuilding site. But the dramas are short-lived and the properties involved are of amanageable size. But what about the current trend of ordinary folk falling for the romance of a derelict historic building of palatial proportions, and taking on the task of bringing it back to life? Are the rewards –for them and the building –worth it?
Simon Hickman of Historic England believes so. ‘It allows fine examples of the nation’s heritage to be restored and reinhabited, rather than falling further into ruin or becoming museums,’ he says. For those who take such stupendous steps into the unknown, it often leads not only to abeautiful new home but to a new way of living –and sometimes anew career, too.
MAN WITH A HAMMER
Greg Penn, known to his 235k Instagram followers as Man With aHammer, seems to have taken his mammoth renovation –the ex-naval Admiral’s House –in his stride. That’s despite it being aGeorgian, Grade II listed property with 30 rooms.
Greg moved from Yorkshire to Plymouth for work, and was simply looking for anew place to live when he fell hook, line and sinker for this historic building. ‘I didn’t bother with asurvey. Iknew it was knackered and needed everything doing,’ he says. Hence, the price was a ‘monumental bargain’, equivalent to the cost of a one-bedroom flat in London at the time. ‘It was heartbreaking to see such asignificant building left to rot,’ Greg says. ‘It’s believed Admiral Nelson’s body may have been brought here after the Battle of Trafalgar.’
Being realistic about the local market kept his restoration budget on track. ‘Plymouth has alow ceiling price for any house, no matter how splendid. Admiral’s needed so much investment Icould never hope to recoup it –unless Idid the work myself,’ he explains.
Greg prioritised rooms according to both his budget and necessity, so bathrooms and bedrooms came first and the kitchen had to wait. He feels he is the house’s custodian, caring for it with his sympathetic restoration – and the project has changed his life.
Four years on from juggling full-time work with 40-50 hours aweek renovating and posting his progress on social media, the restoration is now his full-time job. He makes aliving from sponsorship opportunities and is forever grateful to his social media followers.
‘Renovating
