HERITAGE
Artist’s impressions of how the front and
rear of the manor house will look
HIVE OF ACTIVITY
Y
for generations to come. But its
remodelling is just one half of the area’s
transformation; now it is the turn of
Pitzhanger Manor itself to get a facelift.
TO THE MANOR REBORN
In January, Pitzhanger Manor will
close to allow conservationists and
craftspeople to begin a comprehensive
£10.5million restoration – the biggest
the building has undergone since it
was handed over to the public in 1901.
Among the huge array of
improvements will be the demolition
of what appears on first glance to be
the middle section of the building –
but which is actually a Victorian-era
‘infill’ built after Soane’s death – which
currently connects his former home
to the gallery. The newly restored
Pitzhanger Manor will instead have a
covered pergola walkway, in place of the
extension, which will create a beautiful
outdoor route between the buildings, as
it would have done originally.
A magnificent glass conservatory,
replicating Soane’s greenhouse will be
built at the rear of the manor house.
This will give visitors a wonderful
viewing point from which to admire
Walpole Park.
The house will also be fitted with a
large skylight, known as a roof lantern,
which will flood the landing, central
staircase and entrance lobby with light
and illuminate the beautifully ornate
ceilings, columns and cornicing.
Though not an original feature,
Pitzhanger’s gallery space will be fully
renovated, along with the manor. It is set
to get a new roof and new heating and
lighting, among other improvements. An
upgraded security system also means the
gallery will be able to borrow some of
the world’s finest art works from various
national galleries and museums, putting it
firmly on the British arts and culture map.
Council leader Julian Bell is a Pitzhanger
Manor Trust board member, and has
been heavily involved in the restoration
of park and house – right from the initial
submissions for funding to the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Arts Council.
He said: “When we first made an audit
of the extent of wear and tear, we realised
that serious action needed to be taken