St Leonard's House, Malvern
St Leonard's House (previously known as Salvation House and St Saviour's Guest House at the Convent of the Holy Name) was designed by George Frederick Bodley. Bodley has been described as the "forgotten genius of Victorian Architecture". A student of Sir George Gilbert Scott, Bodley went on to design the Washington National Cathedral and St David's Cathedral in Hobart.
Bodley designed pleasant, practical buildings that were well made and often beautifully decorated. His is a genius of competence as his work still stands where others have crumbled under the onslaughts of pollution and progress. High quality materials, shaped with simple elegant designs, have ensured Bodley’s buildings shrug off British weather, more than a century of corrosive smog and progressive vandalism.
Originally built as a family home, St Leonard's was later extended when it became a boarding house for the neighboring convent. A single storey chapel, since demolished, was then added in the garden.
Abandoned wells tell of former habitation and a small but elegant temple in the grounds is testimony to the contemplations of former occupants.
Broadway's scheme is designed to retain those features that have stood the test of time and restore those that have not. Converting the building into six generously proportioned apartments is consistent with former uses. How encouraging it is to know that the number of future occupants will be similar to the number who would originally have lived at St Leonard's.
Broadway's restoration started in January 2018 and, in August 2018 is now well advanced.
Bodley designed pleasant, practical buildings that were well made and often beautifully decorated. His is a genius of competence as his work still stands where others have crumbled under the onslaughts of pollution and progress. High quality materials, shaped with simple elegant designs, have ensured Bodley’s buildings shrug off British weather, more than a century of corrosive smog and progressive vandalism. Originally built as a family home, St Leonard's was later extended when it became a boarding house for the neighboring convent. A single storey chapel, since demolished, was then added in the garden.
Abandoned wells tell of former habitation and a small but elegant temple in the grounds is testimony to the contemplations of former occupants.
Broadway's scheme is designed to retain those features that have stood the test of time and restore those that have not. Converting the building into six generously proportioned apartments is consistent with former uses. How encouraging it is to know that the number of future occupants will be similar to the number who would originally have lived at St Leonard's.
Broadway's restoration started in January 2018 and, in August 2018 is now well advanced.
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