Former St Clements Hospital, Ipswich is being transformed into luxury apartments and townhouses.
When the Victorian St Clements Hospital closed its doors for the final time in 2002, there were high hopes for the buildings.
The main building, and others on the Ipswich site, had served the local community well for a long time.
Could it now provide much-needed new homes for the town?
The planning process took a number of years to get right and proceed.
Now new homes are being built in the grounds, by Bovis Homes, known as Ribbans Park
And the handsome main buildings are being carefully converted into a range of townhouses and apartments, by Lanswood Commercial and Residential Developments.
St Clements is being restored to its original glory, for its new use.
There was an open day recently for potential buyers, and I had a preview along with Sarah Walsh of agents Savills.
The hoardings and scaffolding which surrounded the impressive main building have now gone, and outside areas landscaped - revealing a grand entrance to the main hall in the centre.
I remember going in through the doors years ago to attend and cover CHC (community health council) meetings, before they were moved elsewhere on the site.
And the grounds were thrown open every summer for an annual fete, when the local community also came in and took part in games and sideshows raising money for charity.
To the rear of the site is the golf club, and I played football on the football pitch, and went to parties and dances held at the social club.
Now the Foxhall Road site is becoming a growing community of homes.
The main front door opens to an impressive communal hallway, for one group of apartments, and with a fine, turning staircase to the first floor.
You are immediately struck by the scale and space.
There are high ceilings, enormous windows and deep skirting boards.
Throughout the apartments original radiators have been refurbished and re-used, and there are fully fitted kitchens with Siemens appliances and silestone worktops.
There is oak flooring, fully fitted bathrooms and shower rooms, some of them in His and Hers style.
Every home is individual.
Sarah Walsh said: “No two are the same and they are finished to a very high standard. There is a lot of care and attention which has gone into the refurbishment scheme.
“They are very spacious.”
A central courtyard provides a light well for the homes.
Eventually there will be in excess of 45 homes in the conversion, with prices starting from £180,000.
“We have already had some reserved,” added Sarah, “There is so much interest, it is incredible.
“The first open day we had, we had more than 200 people attend.
“We are getting a lot of offers.”
There is a range of two, three and four bedroom homes currently available in Phase One.
More information is available from Savills on 01473 234800.
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