An academic has questioned the historic status of a reconstructed 17th-century building in Bury St Edmunds, claiming it is a “pastiche” of the original.
Dr Pat Murrell researched Cupola House, which was built in 1693 for rich apothecary Thomas Macro and his wife Susan, before it was destroyed in a fire in 2012.
The building, in the Traverse, has retained its Grade I listing - which are reserved for those of exceptional interest - following the reconstruction.
Dr Murrell said, as so little remained of original Cupola House, if it kept its Grade I status “then I am not alone in believing there are serious questions to be asked of English Heritage [now Historic England] for their decision”.
She said: “New Cupola is certainly not the 1693 house of the Macros extant as Old Cupola before the fire in June 2012.
“It does not have the 300-year lineage in design, construction materials and overall history.
“It should be accepted for what it is - a pastiche of the original constructed around 21st century restaurant needs using all the 21st century skills, materials and technology available.”
A spokeswoman for Historic England said the listing is not currently being reviewed, but people could apply on the website to have it looked at again.
Architects Purcell had said they hoped to achieve a “scholarly reconstruction” of Cupola House, which was a Strada restaurant at the time of the blaze, but Dr Murrell said “you cannot restore what is not there to restore”.
“Old Cupola has not been brought back to life - New Cupola has been born,” she said.
The building has just re-opened as a steak and lobster restaurant called Bourgee, owned by James Welling and Mark Baumann.
Previously, Mr Welling said they “fell in love” with the “magnificent” building when it was still under restoration, and they watched it come “back to life”.
“I have never known a building to have so much attention during a restoration,” he said. “Everyone is aware of it and everyone is very keen to see what we do with it. We are aware we are the custodians of the building and the building belongs to the town so we have been sympathetic with the design.”
Certain features of the building which have been salvaged have been incorporated, such as parts of the staircase.
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