Beechwood House, Newport

Beechwood House, listed grade II, was built in 1880 as the private residence of George Fothergill, a tobacco manufacturer and former Mayor of Newport.  The park, also listed, is considered to have been laid out by Thomas Mawson.

In 1900 the house and grounds were bought by Newport BC as a public park.  The house had been used for various purposes but for the last twenty years  has been unused and suffered from vandalism and arson to the extent that parts had become unsafe.

We are working on proposals to renovate the house and stable range to create start-up offices. Although in very poor condition much detail of the house survives to allow a reconstruction that will incorporate new services and fire precautions to serve the new use. In addition we are designing a new-build range of studios with a café for park users.

In parallel we are also working for Newport City Council on the refurbishment of nearby Malpas Court, a building of similar age and dilapidated condition but very different style.