Malvern Summer Garden Party - venue for receipt of 2021 Civic Society Award
Michael Hodges Director of Broadway Heritage hosted a Garden Party in Ranelagh Road in Malvern on 28th August for residents of the restored and converted St Leonard’s House and new development Gospel Place.
The Garden Party – including tent, bunting, and Abbot & Green refreshments - took place on Saturday on the lawn in front of St Leonard’s House. The garden at St Leonard’s, much embellished by one of the residents Patti Mackie, provided the perfect backdrop on what turned out to be a warm sunny afternoon.
The event marked the birth of the small but beautifully formed new community in Ranelagh Road and provided the opportunity for residents to get to know each other and put a name to a face. Michael Hodges said, “It was delightful for me to see the residents enjoying their conversations and exchanging anecdotes of how they came to be living here. For me as a developer it’s not just about bricks and mortar but about community and this event was designed to help people here feel that they really belong.” It was much enjoyed by over 30 of the residents and guests, including four leading officers of the Malvern Civic Society.
The Society’s Chairman Andrew Huntley took advantage of the occasion to present Michael Hodges with their 2020 Civic Society Award. He was Highly Commended ‘for conserving Malvern’s architectural heritage’ – namely St Leonard’s House – formerly known as Salvation House. (Part of the former convent complex the building is now 6 luxury apartments and duplexes.) The pandemic last year had prevented the presentation of the Award.
Mr Huntley said, “This was rather a neglected part of Malvern and Michael has done a wonderful job in reviving it. The word is regeneration. You [the residents] are part of that process. It's a lovely bit of Malvern and it's so good that you're living here and will be able to enjoy it.”
Michael Hodges said, “I was very pleased to receive this Award, and celebrate it with the residents now living here. I very much hope that they will continue the summer Garden Party as a tradition in future. In the past two years we have all come to recognise how important it is to have good neighbours and look out for each other, and this is my small contribution to help that happen in Ranelagh Road.”
Gospel Place, Broadway’s most recent development comprising 14 unique new-build homes – has been shortlisted for the Civic Society’s 2021 Award, in competition with other local buildings of heightened architectural interest.
Gospel Place, Malvern nominated for Prestigious 2021 Civic Award
We are delighted to announce that the Broadway Heritage development ‘Gospel Place’ in Malvern has been nominated for a prestigious local award in recognition of its good design. The Civic Award is awarded annually by Malvern Civic Society in recognition of good quality building design in the area.
The 8-strong Civic Award committee assesses nominations for their construction quality, design and appeal and their contribution to the architectural legacy of the town. John Dixon is Chair of the Society’s Malvern Civic Award Sub-Committee. “We are very pleased that Gospel Place has been nominated for this year’s Malvern Civic Award. This area of Malvern Link has required new investment since the Convent of the Holy Name closed several years ago. Michael Hodges of Broadway Heritage saw the potential of this peaceful location and has been determined to revive it as a desirable residential district. Last year, he masterminded the meticulous renovation of St Leonard’s, one of the Convent Grade 2 listed buildings. Now, he has further enhanced the area with Gospel Place, a completely new development comprising 14 new homes.” The Committee has received the nomination with enthusiasm. John Dixon added, “The homes have been well designed, soundly constructed and thoughtfully planned to appeal to a wide cross-section of the community.”
Covid restrictions mean that the 8 -strong committee has, until now, been unable to visit any of the area’s nominated sites. But John Dixon adds: “We hope that covid restrictions will be eased later in the year so that we can visit all the nominations and make a decision. We plan to present the award, which is a small plaque to attach to the winning building, before the end of the year.”
The Society also takes an active interest in monitoring plans for new developments. Their Planning Sub-Committee keeps a watchful eye on all new planning applications. It opposes proposals considered insensitive or inappropriate, or that risk detracting from the character of Malvern, which is one of England’s best-preserved Victorian towns.
Michael Hodges, Director of Broadway Heritage Ltd – developer of Gospel Place, said, “It is a great honour and humbling to be nominated for this Civic Award. The Civic Society continues to be an excellent source of checks and balances is preserving the character of Malvern. In all our developments and conservation projects at Broadway, it has always been a key aim to complement and enhance the architectural surroundings, add value, and create a legacy of homes that people love to live in. I sincerely believe Gospel Place is indeed contributing to the revival of the Malvern Link area as a fashionable, desirable and sought-after residential enclave. We look forwarding to welcome John Dixon’s team to Gospel Place as soon as the covid restrictions lift.”
A Civic Society plaque was unveiled in September last year on the wall of Broadway's neighbouring conservation development of 6 luxury homes, St Leonard's House. The plaque commemorates the building’s former persona as Convent of the Holy Name. Once home to a community of around 250 nuns, it closed in 1990.
Media contact:
Sally Davis
sally.davis@broadwayplc.com
07862 730111
JUST TWO UNITS REMAINING
Gospel Place has been progressing apace since the opening of the Show Home in the autumn.
After a flurry of sales activity over the past months, with buyers keen to take advantage of the Stamp Duty holiday, only 2 of the 14 units remain.
Viewings are progressing apace, by appointment only. "We are extremely grateful to our agents Connell's in Malvern and to Platinum Property for the professional way they have been adhering to the strict covid protection guidelines during viewings," said Michael Hodges, director of Broadway Heritage. "The development is also looking its best now that the street signage is in place, and the landscaped communal gardens are showing signs of spring. Many of the occupiers here are getting to know each other, and it's gratifying to see a new community forming."
The two homes still available to purchase are both townhouses with 4 bedrooms: The Goodman - a detached home, and The Tomlin - a semi-detached. Both have stunning living spaces, the iconic Gospel Place high quality kitchens and bathrooms, and the best in acoustic and thermal insulation. Well designed and low maintenance, these 'forever' homes are 21st-century living at its best, with electric car charging points, photovoltaic solar panels and internet/sky television access points already in place.
The Goodman - the Show Home on the development, is fully furnished in a fresh, modern style, giving househunters an idea of how the living space can be utilised to best advantage.
Virtual Tours on www.gospel.place allow prospective purchasers to view the homes from the comfort of their armchairs, or viewings are available by appointment through Connell's of Malvern. malvern@connells.co.uk 01684 892282.
Click here for The Goodman virtual tour https://propertyjigsaw.theatro360.com/tour/XZ-SZFE/13666 and here for The Tomlin https://propertyjigsaw.theatro360.com/tour/XZ-SZFE/13721.