81 and 83, Winchester Road, Romsey

Builder: H & F Bundy

Date: 1984–1985

This elegant, late Georgian building was in a deplorable state when The Trust purchased it in 1984, at auction, in the face of considerable competition from developers interested merely in the site value.  Whilst the shell of the building was generally sound, the interior of both 81 and 83 required total reconstruction. 

This was carried out as closely as possible to the original design, using photographs where necessary.  The imposing façade was completely redecorated and new, specially fashioned, stone cornices were obtained to replace the damaged stonework.  At the rear of the building new kitchens and garages were constructed.

This successful scheme not only retained two stylish, four storey period houses but underlined again the Trust’s view that restoration was often a practical alternative to demolition.  The whole project also acted as a catalyst for other schemes in a part of Romsey where the buildings had begun to look thoroughly neglected.