Work is under way to save one of the oldest surviving buildings in Brechin in a move that it is hoped will have a dramatic impact on the town’s regeneration.
The category A-listed Merchant’s House has lain empty for decades and the derelict building was seen by the community and Brechin Civic Trust as a blight on the High Street.
Scaffolding has gone up on a regeneration project that through sensitive repair and adaptation will create two four-bedroom townhouses for rent.
An estimated eight full-time construction jobs will be engaged on the project and a further two full-time service jobs. It is due to be completed within a year.
The Merchant’s House was identified by the Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative as one of the seven priority buildings to be a focus of the grant-assisted programme, primarily due to its poor condition, location, high costs to restore and its historic significance.
Historic buildings specialist and entrepreneur Kit Martin (Historic Houses Rescue) Ltd became involved with the project in June last year and commissioned The Prince’s Regeneration Trust.
Working together they established a project steering group comprising the design team led by Doug Reid of James F. Stephen Architects from Glamis, the THI, Angus Council and Historic Scotland.
“For 30 years, empty and derelict, this building has been a blight on the high street; but behind this decaying facade is a building of enormous architectural importance,” said Mr Martin. “It is Brechin’s earliest surviving house with a 15th-century roof structure and some fine 18th-century fittings.
“The restoration of this immensely important building will be an important step in the regeneration and transformation of the centre of this wonderful city.”RescueAngus Council leader Bob Myles, who is chairman of the City of Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), said he was delighted that work has begun.
“The news that work is starting is particularly welcome as the poor condition of the Merchant’s House means that it has been on the Scottish Civic Trust’s Buildings At Risk register for a number of years,” he said. “Several attempts have been made to rescue the building but these have all proved impossible to deliver.
“Not only will this grant-aided project ensure the long-term future of the building, it will also have a dramatic impact on the regeneration of the High Street and Brechin City Centre.”
WH Brown Construction of Dundee has been appointed as main contractor.
Original features, such as the extraordinary and rare roof structure, will be repaired together with the reinstatement of elements such as the nepus gable, a distinct local feature.
The significance of the building will be respected through sympathetic intervention, using traditional building repairs and the results will be complemented by the use of a Georgian paint scheme thus respecting the fine surviving Georgian interior of the rear wings.
The project is one of several projects located on the High Street which is attracting grant funding through the THI. The significant investment by both the owners of the properties and the grant funding bodies will assist in the regeneration of the High Street.
Some of the work is already under way and this is hoped to provide a catalyst for further improvements to be undertaken to neighbouring buildings.
Photo courtesy of the Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative.