A once-at-risk building transformed into a multi-million-pound art gallery has won a prestigious national award. 

Gainsborough House in Sudbury was announced the best Georgian building to be restored at the Georgian Awards 2023. 

Gainsborough’s House, the childhood home of one of Britain’s most important artists, recently reopened to the public following a £10 million transformational redevelopment to create an international centre for Thomas Gainsborough.

It is the largest gallery in Suffolk.

Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by the acclaimed architectural firm ZMMA, it now comprises a new three-story building, designed in locally made brick and flint, housing a new entrance and four innovative galleries. 

The profile of Gainsborough’s House has significantly increased and along with new friends and visitors, there are more Gainsborough-related loans and acquisitions.

David Adshead, director of the Georgian Group, said: “Remarkably, thanks to the energy and expertise of countless individuals, five of the projects shortlisted for this year’s Georgian Group Architectural Awards, have now been removed from the ‘heritage at risk list’ maintained by Historic England, and, in one case, from the equivalent list of Historic Environment Scotland. 

"We hope this will inspire others to take on the rescue and repair of Georgian buildings that still languish on these lists and on our own heritage at risk register.”