The Victorian Society’s annual list of the country’s most endangered buildings includes a separate property in Wales that is drastically falling into disrepair
The charity fights to protect and preserve important Victorian and Edwardian buildings and landscapes in Wales and England for future generations
Called Plas Alltran, Anglesey’s ‘at risk’ building was built around 1890 in a quaint style that would have been inspired by Plas Mawr, a beautiful Elizabethan townhouse in Conwy, which still survives today
Tom Taylor, Conservation Advisor for the Victorian Society, says: « It was probably purpose built for Holyhead’s first GP, Dr William Fox Russell
« Its architectural qualities are excellent – the design makes great use of a prominent but awkward corner site and is executed with panache in a sort of Tudor style
« It has historical significance and is a piece of high quality architecture right next to the ferry terminal, in a highly visible location »
The distinctive Grade II listed building has had a variety of uses since the doctor’s surgery including rented accommodation, classrooms for a girls’ training institute, district nursing accommodation, and boarding house
Located next to Holyhead Harbor, the building is now empty and in ruins, unused since the early 1970s
The charity said the South Korean-based owner has no known plans for the building
Comedian Griff Rhys Jones supports the fight to save this Welsh building from abandonment in his role as President of the Victorian Society
Originally from Cardiff, Griff became chairman of the charity in 2018 after many years of involvement in the industry as the host of three series of BBC2’s ‘Restoration’ show and as as chairman of the fundraising for the restoration of the Hackney Empire Theater in London
Griff says: « The sad case of this building begs the question, why buy a building halfway around the world and then do nothing with it?
« This building is of great historical significance to Holyhead, and now desperately needs its owner to do the right thing and bring it to market
« Plas Alltran’s rich history shows that it is a multi-purpose building We hope that inclusion on our list will help secure the funding needed to save this fantastic building »
Conservation advisor Tom Taylor suggests new life for this iconic local building which could range from a store, offices, cafe or even a residence
He says: « The important thing in reusing historic buildings is to use the imagination to create a viable proposition that preserves what is really special about the building for future generations »
The annual publication of the 10 Most Endangered Buildings of Victorian Society in the Country aims to highlight the problems and threats many historic buildings across the country face, due to demolition, neglect or development insensitive
The charity says national awareness of the plight of these properties often leads to new interest in the buildings on the list and can help save them, either by capturing the interest of a potential developer or even just naming and shaming current careless owners
Commenting on the list’s publication, Griff Rhys Jones said: « The list is both heartbreaking and enlightening Look at these fascinating survivors of our history; when the Victorians built, they often created lasting adornments for their towns
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Griff continues: « But many of our Victorian gems have a depressing recent history Often profit comes first and buildings are neglected until they have reached a state of complete abandonment
« These buildings were built with great skill and they brighten up their urban environment. We know that restoring such heritage adds value to a territory
« There has never been a time when the retail sector has taken another hit and the city center faded as a business center, for us to recognize that if we want our city and city centers to continue to be useful, visited and worshiped they better look great
« There are hundreds of examples of imaginative reuse for inspiration. Come on, please – reuse of historic buildings is the lasting solution to the city and downtown crisis »
The local Grade II * listed monument closed in 2019 and has since deteriorated, endangering its richly ornate plasterwork and vaulted ceilings
The Former Bavaria Place Police Station is a stately Grade II listed Gothic-style former building on a corner lot in Bradford
Built in 1877, the property is surprisingly ornate for a relatively small building, but is now in dire need of salvage
In 2003, council sent out an urgent work notice and the building was secured and weathertight, but the charity says more repairs are now needed
The office of the former Prudential Assurance Company is a handsome Grade II listed building and is one of a series of offices designed by one of the foremost Victorian architects Alfred Waterhouse The other buildings of Waterhouse include the Natural History Museum and Manchester Town Hall
The charity says the exterior hides a gorgeous, richly tiled interior designed to impress potential past guests, but the deplorable condition of this historic building is extremely unappealing A sensible, conservation-focused regeneration program is taking place long overdue
A landmark of Worksop, the former Grade II listed pumping station has been abandoned for decades
The charity says that in a 2018 auction catalog it was noted that the building had a new roof and planning permission for 23 two-bed apartments and an attached house
The condition of the Italian Romanesque building is deteriorating rapidly and the slender and striking fireplace is gradually eroding
The former & Richardson’s Brewery in Warwick was built in 1864 but has been empty and abandoned since it closed in 1964
According to the charity, this unique Grade II listed building stands with an abandoned ‘To Let’ sign on the site, but with such strong ties to the local history of the area, deserves to be restored
A plaque on the Grade II listed pub explains that it is named after famous explorer Captain Cook, believed to have been born in Marton, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough
The charity notes that the pub is in a deplorable state and far from where it appeared in the television drama Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
The building has been converted into a commercial area but only a small part of the ground floor is currently in use The rest of the building has been vacant for many years
The charity has said this large brewery is in very poor condition and is also listed on Historic England’s List of Endangered Heritage
The Grade II * listed Brighton Racecourse, designed by famous theater architect Frank Matcham, is the finest example of a circus theater in the country
The building, originally built by Lewis Karslake in 1897 as an ice rink, was turned into a circus in 1901
After a number of failed relaunch plans for the building, the charity says it was purchased in September 2020 by Brighton-based Matsim Properties
This Grade II listed property was built in 1889 as a purpose built hospital before becoming the Samaritan Women’s Hospital in 1904
It closed in 1997 and has since been left empty and slowly deteriorating, a rare sight of abandonment on Marylebone Road in the City of Westminster district
Griff Rhys Jones comments: « Why have the owners of this large, beautiful property in central London left it empty and deteriorating for 23 years – because of some of London’s biggest property booms?
« This valuable building could lend itself to office, hotel or residential use Westminster Council must pressure owner to make emergency repairs to prevent further damage Someone will surely want to revive this listed building in central London «
Doctor’s office, Victorian era, The Victorian Society
News from around the world – GB – Former Welsh medical office named one of the most endangered buildings in the country
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
