Originally the Royal Masonic School for Boys, designed by London-based Scottish practice Gordon & Gunton, Royal Connaught Park traces its roots to the 1900s, with the styles of the time influencing the stunning Neo Gothic architecture. Now the expansive residential development, comprising over 300 homes, is the epitome of contemporary luxury in perfect harmony with Victorian splendour.

Entering the 21st Century in a dilapidated state, leading placemaking developer Comer Homes took on the 100-acre site to create one of the UK’s most spectacular places to live. Only a selection of apartments remain in the scheme’s latest phase, The Nova Collection, set within sensitively designed new-build blocks that blend perfectly with the original buildings.

The first phase of the conversion works at Royal Connaught Park involved converting the existing teaching, residential and ancillary blocks into stunning period apartments. Retaining the historic features of this listed building site brought many challenges with Comer Homes engaging a team of specialists to ensure as many original features as possible were retained, including the hand-carved stone staircases, Gothic arch windows, flooring, fireplaces, and exposed roof beams.

Incredibly crafted stonework is present across each of the period buildings, with Comer Homes establishing a Stonemasons workshop onsite to produce like-for-like replacements for damaged and weathered stone.

Commenting on the process involved, Jack O’Brien, Development Director at Comer Homes, said: “We identified Bath Stone quarries that supplied stone to the required specification used when Royal Connaught Park was first built. Initially, we set up a temporary workshop onsite and directly employed a team of skilled masons to work cut stone delivered directly from the Bath Quarry.

“The team of experts used a mixture of modern and traditional methods to produced carved, moulded stone to replace damaged or weathered stone as part of the refurbishment and conversion of the listed buildings.

“In some areas, new windows and doors were made using the same details as the original structure to sympathetically incorporate these into the buildings. This was a crucial part of our sensitive restoration process and something we took forward when designing and constructing the new-build elements of Royal Connaught Park.”

In addition to the residential elements of Royal Connaught Park is a dedicated Health & Fitness Centre within the structures that were once the Dining Hall, Staff Room and Headmaster’s Quarters of the Royal Masonic School. Occupying the early 20th Century building is a gymnasium, spa facilities complete with a 20m heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna & steam rooms and a magnificent dining hall, which has retained its original flooring, stained windows and exposed wooden beams.

Comer Homes went to great lengths to restore and retain as many of the original characteristics of the building as possible. During the building works the façade was supported, whilst a large basement, that would house the swimming pool, spa and plant room, was excavated.

Commenting on the conversion works, Jack O’Brien, added: “The key elements of converting the dining hall and staff rooms into the residents’ fitness facility included underpinning the existing structure and digging down to a depth almost equal to two stories underground. The pool and plant room were constructed in that zone, which was a real engineering feat!

“Once we had completed the additional basement space, we re-laid the original dining hall floor and fitted glass beams and panels in the centre, allowing people to walk over and look down into the spa complex.”

The state-of-the-art gymnasium is situated within the former Headmaster’s and Teacher’s staff quarters, which features decommissioned fireplaces that bear original masonic symbols and engravings bearing the school’s moto ‘Audi, Vide, Tace’. The room was also made famous on the big screen, appearing in the 1957 feature film Lucky Jim as the headmaster’s (played by Ian Carmichael) office.

The residents’ Dining Hall is one of the standout rooms across the entire development and once provided the dramatic backdrop for a number of Box Office movies, including the first three Harry Potter films. Stained glass windows and candle holder chandeliers suspended from a vaulted ceiling create a unique ambience that creates an atmospheric space for residents to enjoy, as well as being available to book for parties and gatherings.

The five houses of The Nova Collection, named in recognition of being the new-build element of Royal Connaught Park, have been externally designed using weathered red brick to blend seamlessly with the Gothic architecture of the original buildings.

Oxford House is a boutique building showcasing two-bedroom apartments, with the final 872 sq. ft. home available at £610,000. Yale House has a wonderful selection of two and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes, with only eight units remaining. Harvard House comprises a selection of two-bedroom apartments, providing accommodation sized between 1,173 sq. ft. to 1,593 sq. ft.

Also available in the Nova Collection is Admiral House and Lancaster House. Ranging in size from 1,066 sq. ft. to 1,808 sq. ft. Admiral House provides some of the largest homes available with a mixture of two and three-bedroom ground floor and duplex apartments.

The largest block is Lancaster House, consisting of two, three and four-bedroom apartments. Taking in the views of the grounds and surrounding countryside. The Nova Collection is situated within Lancaster House and is one of the most impressive properties available. This is a three-bedroom duplex which has two large balconies and plenty of open-plan living spaces.

Ensuring the wider site retains its luscious green landscape, the resident’s car park is located underground, with artificial green and living walls installed to blend in the vents and above ground sections. Created with alternative transport methods in mind, electric charging units are in place for installation upon request, as well as generous cycle storage spaces.