Housebuilder generates £22m from transformation of derelict hospital

A Shropshire house builder has completed construction work transforming a derelict 19th Century former hospital which it says will generate sales of £22m.

Shropshire Homes, based near Shrewsbury, has finished work at the iconic St George’s Mansions development in Stafford, providing 102 apartments, the majority of which have been sold and are occupied.

A small number of one and two-bedroom homes are still available in the building’s West Wing.

In addition to the conversion of the hospital building, Shropshire Homes has constructed two new blocks of apartments, Tower Place and Potter’s Court, within the grounds of the development.

Each block has 18 apartments.

Originally built in 1818, the hospital closed in 1995 and the buildings and surrounding parkland passed through the hands of various owners.

Managing director Howard Thorne said: “It has been an absolute privilege to transform what was a derelict shell of a structure into an imposing, splendid building that will stand the test of time.

“When we first took over the site in 2015, it was unsafe to enter because it had been severely fire damaged and was in real danger of collapsing. We then had to obtain detailed planning consents and liaise with specialist engineers before the skilled work of stabilising and reconstructing the original masonry could begin.

“Where possible, we restored or re-integrated original features into the new design. The southern façade, many room proportions and sash windows remain, as do the spire and corbel stones from the chapel, which now form a centrepiece to the rear landscaping.”