Fair Mile AT C H O L S E Y M E A D O W S
MAKING AN ENTRANCE Thomas Homes’ conversions at Fair Mile are really taking off with buyers
A LANDMARK REDEVELOPMENT CONCEIVED BY CHARLES H. HOWELL over 140 years ago, Fair Mile’s hospital buildings near Cholsey Meadows in Oxfordshire, stand as proud today as they did in 1870 – a fine example of Victorian grandeur and architectural confidence. Crow step gables, red and blue brick detailing, stone sills and mullions, sliding sash windows – countless historic hallmarks tell the story of a bygone age. Fair Mile opened as a Hospital on 30th September 1870. It was designed by Charles Henry Howell FRIBA, with grounds by Robert Marnock. The original site could accommodate 500 patients. The grand main building was joined by offices, a superintendent’s house, a lodge and various cottages. There was also a farm, providing fresh dairy and produce, and a chapel. Howell was a leading Victorian architect. Based in London and a partner in the firm Howell & Brooks, Howell built the hospital at Fair Mile in 1868 for £68,000. Local employment plus social, recreational and sporting activities quickly saw the hospital forge links with nearby village communities – relationships that endured for over 130 years until Fair Mile hospital’s closure in 2003. Now, as Thomas Homes’ scheme begins a new chapter for Fair Mile, the buildings are once again coming to life. Working sympathetically to maintain the historic fabric of the buildings, Thomas Homes is creating 130 new dwellings within the existing structures, in a scheme that embraces the latest sustainable best practice. Established in 1974, THOMAS HOMES is one of the largest privately owned residential property developers in the south of England. Fair Mile’s homes, including the Hermitage Court and Basildon Court phases, are being sold through Savills with a Thomas Homes sales office and show home at Fair Mile, open 7 days a week, TEL: +44 (0)1491 652 515.
A stylish interior at Fairmile
THE FACILITIES AT THE DEVELOPMENT ARE EXTENSIVE AND INCLUDE: • Over 100 acres of open fields and marshlands • One mile of riverbank along the Thames Nature Reserve including woodland and nature trails and wildflower meadows • Fair Mile shop, restaurant, café and offices • Cricket pitch and pavilion • Allotments • Fully equipped play area • Chapel and The Great Hall; a newly-restored community hall, complete with stage.
INTERIORS AT FAIR MILE EACH PHASE RELEASED AT FAIR MILE has seen the opening of a new show home. The interiors have been designed by Sandra Marshall of Pistachio Interiors. Sandra, who founded the company in 2007, was a previous employee with Thomas Homes. Embracing the character features and retaining a warm homely feel that buyers want to move straight into have been the challenge. Features include: High ceilings, a range of different window styles, bay window seats, spacious rooms and original architrave and mouldings.
WHEN SWANS FLY
Contemporary bathrooms add a touch of luxury
SCULPTURE BY LOCAL ARTIST TAKES FLIGHT A fine metal sculpture of a trio of swans in flight by local sculptor Diccon Dadey marks the entrance at Fair Mile. The mild steel structure was created to represent a ‘new start’ for the building and also the wildlife which is on site. Mr Dadey explains, “I was approached by Thomas Homes to create something which would give a flavour of the transformation of Fair Mile, showing how new life is being breathed into the building and the community. “I have created a number of birds over the years, from owls to herons, eagles and cockerels. Birds are always fascinating to observe and recreate.
LATEST SALES NEWS
“The swans have gone down very well and I’m in talks with Thomas Homes about producing some additional work for the cricket pitch at Fair Mile.”
Hermitage Court and Basildon Court are the latest phases of the Fair Mile development to be released.
For more information about Diccon Dadey, visit dadeymetalart.co.uk.
Hermitage Court (1 on map) is situated in a prominent part of the building, facing the sweeping entrance into the site and overlooking the impressive swan sculpture on the green.
AWARD-WINNING THOMAS HOMES FAIR MILE HAS RECEIVED AN AWARD as the Regional Winner of the Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards Conversion of the Year. The Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards are an invaluable opportunity to recognise the very best developments in the UK housing market and to raise the profile of this country’s house builders. Developments were judged entirely on the quality of workmanship and build, elevating winners as the highest quality developments in the UK. The Fair Mile Hospital buildings have been a prominent landmark building in Cholsey since first being built in 1870. The Grade II Listed Victorian structure was closed in 2003 and lay derelict until planning permission was given in 2010 to develop the site into 354 new homes including refurbished houses and apartments.
Thirteen 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, ranging from £245,000 – £320,000, 60% of which are now reserved or sold. Basildon Court (2 on map) offers a dual aspect with windows to the rear overlooking the historic building and windows to the front facing the cricket pitch and pavilion. Breathtaking views over the countryside beyond. Basildon Court was released for sale in May 2013. Eleven 1 and 2 • Swans 1 bedroom apartments in this phase, ranging from £195,000 – £375,000 of which 75% are now reserved or sold. Current sales Due to popular demand EarlyBird reservations are being taken on future phases before they are officially released.
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Block plan of Thomas Homes’ conversions at Fair Mile
Original features are part of many of Fair Mile’s rooms
OPEN SPACE: FAIR MILE’S GREAT ASSET THOMAS HOMES HAS JOINED FORCES with the Community Development Trust to set up a number of groups, designed to bring residents together through a series of events on the 100 acre parkland, around the homes.
Open space surrounds Fair Mile; the parkland and nature reserve stretch down to the Thames
For those seeking enjoyment of the outdoors there is plenty on offer. Sunny days begin with dawn chorus walks, to enjoy some of the scenery and wildlife on offer. A boot camp keep fit class is available for exercise fans, while children can enjoy playing cricket at the site’s very own pitch on a Friday evening, while parents watch from the sanctuary of the pavilion. As temperatures rise, a hog roast will also tempt residents to get together on a summer’s day. Thomas Homes has invited residents to join a public art group. Part of their focus will be on preparing a walk around the 500 trees in the parkland. The group will work to identify and then label the trees, offering an educational trail. A number of events are to be held in the grounds of Fair Mile during 2013. A major attraction will be a performance of Georges Bizet’s Carmen by the Garden Opera Company. The event will take place in the beautiful parklands where residents and guests can enjoy the Opera while having a picnic. Proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
FAIR MILE SALES CENTRE Sales Manager Becky Allen and her team would love to welcome you to our Sales Centre and Show Home.
Fair Mile AT C H O L S E Y M E A D O W S
Open daily between 10 am and 5pm Tel: 01491 652515 thomashomes.co.uk
Sat nav: OX10 9HH
Selling Agents Savills Residential Development Sales Tel: 01865 269010 savills.com