Man, 23, snaps up mansion for £580,000
Wednesday 10th February 2010, 10:30AM GMT.
A man in his 20s has paid £580,000 to become the new owner of a ruined historic Shropshire mansion.
Bernard Goodwin, 23, of Hankelow, near Audlem, has bought Pell Wall Hall, just south of Market Drayton.
Mr Goodwin bought the property in December last year and title deeds from the Land Registry have now confirmed him as the buyer. He said he planned to restore Pell Wall Hall to a private residence.
He added: “The intention is to reinstate this country residence in empathy with Sir John Soane’s original drawings.”
Agents Strutt & Parker had advertised the sale with an asking price of £750,000, but Mr Goodwin’s lower offer was accepted.
In 1986 the hall was gutted by fire after a huge blaze left it as a shell. But now there is fresh hope that the site could be restored to its former glory as part of Mr Goodwin’s plans.
Carol Chapman, secretary to Market Drayton Civic Society, welcomed the news and said: “It’s great if the new owner wants to restore it. We will obviously help him in any way we can. It’s such a wonderful building and it really is unique. It would be splendid to see it back in a state where it can be appreciated as a local and national treasure.”
Experts estimate the cost of restoring the hall could be between £2 and £5 million. The grade II-listed house, constructed between 1822 and 1828, was the last private commission designed by Sir John Soane.
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£580’000 house at 23?. Good on you Bernard, but how can a 23 year old afford a house at that age? – or am I missing the point. I paid off my £180’000 house last year on a £60’000 mortgage(I’m almost 34 now)and absolutely stuggled – never having had a holiday, meal out etc, but reaping the benefits now. Rich parents dare I say?
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Wealthy parents or not. excellent sense for a bargain. good on you..
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It sounds like old money to me, Matt. You don’t get many 23 year old lads called Bernard unless they’re from reasonable stock.
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I hope he has got the same amount to afford the restoration. (and a lot of patience with red tape if it is a listed building)
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WOW – go Bernard – 23, amazing!! I hope the building brings you great pleasure and joy – good on you and best of luck chap!
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Also, good on you too Matt, it must have been so hard scrimping and saving for every penny – but what an achievement, im 23 and have a very long way to go on my mortgage – well done to you, i think you have done so well!!!
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thats greedy it should be converted to flats for many to be housed
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Perhaps he will jonno k, perhaps he is a lottery winner, who knows. If he loves old buildings and it is worth saving then who cares.
It is probably a fantasy do be able to do something like this when you are still young for a lot of people.
Some people have a lot of money and it brings them nothing but unhappiness. If this guy has a passion that results in benefit to a whole community too then it is a win win scenario surely?
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That is exactly what he may intend to do jonno k who knows?
Perhaps he is a lottery winner, who knows?
If he is young enough to enjoy it, has a passion for old houses and this one is worth rescuing then it looks a win win result to me.
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Thankyou Claire. Good luck with your mortgage too!. I feel that there is a unnecessary pressure in this country for people to buy houses, compared with our foreign counterparts, where renting is the norm. I’ve had a full time job since the age of 18 (after college) and a part time job since I was 21. I’ve never not ‘gone without’ and earn a modest wage. No doubt in years to come I will get penalised for working hard and paying my way, but it leaves me with a sense of achievement and knowing that I owe no one nothing. No doubt some future Government will make me sell my home when I retire at 90 to pay for people not wanting to work. Or am I now getting old and cynical??
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Oh! I hope I feel a Grand Design coming on!
Good Luck and lots of love
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