Member Article

Restored mansion crowned winner of Venturous Builds competition

A RENOVATED Grade II listed mansion in the Cliviger Valley has been crowned as a winner of a campaign that shines the spotlight on small developers and self-builders.

CRL is delighted to announce that Holme Hall Manor in Cliviger, Lancashire, is one of three winners selected to take part in its Venturous Builds campaign – an inspiring new web series that will showcase Britain’s inspiring self-builders and their construction achievements.

Berkshire Homes, the developer behind the stunning transformation, has been selected by the structural defects insurance specialist as being truly venturous of spirit.

The campaign, which saw CRL launch its logo into space, aimed to inspire those who have dared to be venturous, brave and unorthodox to share the details of their venturous builds. Winners will have their project filmed and featured on the online show.

The second episode of Venturous Builds now live on the CRL YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4nED1b3dFk

Holme Hall Manor has been sympathetically converted into stunning apartments. A family home for more than 200 years, and former retirement home and nightclub, the building was gutted in an arson attack in 2004.

It was derelict for more than 10 years before being bought at auction by Berkshire Homes. The heritage site has now been transformed into 10 one and two-bedroom apartments with impressive views over the Cliviger Valley and a wealth of character.

Harrison Kiely, Berkshire Homes, said: “Holme Hall has been an incredible project. It was previously owned by four experienced property developers who gave up on restoring this ruin. Our appointed surveyors advised us to put this property back in the auction and cut our losses because it would take us more than two years to complete and we would lose money.

“However, we said no way. The rebuild took us six months to complete from start to finish. Local residents, who have a lot of memories of this magnificent 400-year-old building, were thrilled to see Holme Hall restored to its former glory.”

The filming of these unique projects is now underway, with the first episode of Venturous Builds going live in the coming weeks. The Venturous Builds web series will be hosted by English designer and regeneration expert Wayne Hemingway.

CRL CEO Steve Mansour said: “We’ve been blown away by the quality of all of the entries we’ve received for our Venturous Builds campaign. You’ve proved that the UK has some truly venturous self-builders and developers. Thank you to everyone who entered.

“However, we were looking for the one-offs, the inspiring, the ingenious construction projects to feature in our Venturous Builds web series. Harrison and the team at Berkshire Homes clearly demonstrate that they have the courage, determination and an unwavering belief in their ability to create something truly unique.

“Venturous builds celebrates the pioneering self-builders and small developers who, against the odds, have dared to dream big and have created the homes of their dreams.”

Commenting on the winners, Wayne Hemingway said: “My wife and I designed and built our own home 19 years ago when our kids were young and it has been a true life enhancing experience ever since.

“Designing and building your own home is about getting something you really want, rather than getting a house someone else has designed or settling for what’s on the market. Berkshire Homes clearly knew what they wanted when it came to Holme Hall Manor and they are clearly revelling in the results.

“Venturous Builds celebrates fantastic self-built homes and shows it’s about the spirit of getting on and doing it. It is truly inspiring to witness the people and the love of what they have achieved at the end of the process.”

CRL does not shy away from arranging insurance for unusual projects, including new builds, complete or partially completed builds, timber frame constructions, prefabricated properties, mixed-use projects, conversions and insolvent properties.

The construction insurance experts recognise that every opportunity is different. With CRL there is no set criteria – just an appetite for adventure.

For more information about CRL please:

Visit: www.c-r-l.com Email: customer.service@c-r-l.com Call: 0800 772 3200 / +44(0) 20 7127 5198

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emily Hallinan .