Summary
Grade II listed Fitzroy House is one of Lewes’ most notable and iconic properties. Built in 1862 as a memorial to Henry Fitzroy, MP for Lewes for 24 years, it was commissioned by his wife Hannah (nee Rothschild) and designed by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, best known for the Albert Memorial and The St Pancras Hotel. The building became the first public library for Lewes from 1896, (even frequented by Virginia Woolf!), until 1955. The Friends of Lewes rescued the property from demolition and the Franks family lived there for some 40 years, refurbished and rebuilding. Internally, there is the extraordinary Fitzroy Octagonal Room with a domed glass roof, surrounded by an exceptional wood constructed minstrel gallery with 6 feature windows below, 5 of them with the original shutters, and 6 circular windows above, currently used as an event and exhibition space. The entrance hall has the original tiled floor, classic gothic arches, stone pillars with a shaped turquoise ceiling and a stairway with cast iron balustrades and wooden handrail. The private sitting room is the double-fronted reading room with an open fire. The building has high ceilings to rooms throughout. The ground floor has a kitchen to the front of the building and cloakroom, as well as a rear bedroom, shower room, toilet and a utility room with double glazed doors to a most attractive south facing walled garden. The first floor has two bedrooms, one with feature ensuite, and the Clock Room, a central study/library room leading to an external balcony. The attractive landing leads to the minstrel gallery. The property has approximately 2,800 sq.ft. of accommodation.
Key Points
Grade II ListedGothic building with clock spireExtraordinary features throughout
Council Tax
Council Tax Band F
EPC
The property is exempt from EPC rating.
Agents Notes
Fitzroy House is currently established as a residential property and has previously been used for commercial exhibition purposes.
The property is considered to have strong potential for residential or mixed-use development. However, prospective purchasers are advised to undertake their own due diligence regarding the building’s historical usage and any previous planning applications.
Relevant planning records can be accessed via Lewes District Council’s planning portal at the following link:
https://planningpa.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/online-applications/searchResultsBack.do?action=back
Location
Fitzroy House is conveniently located on the pedestrian precinct, next to shops, banks, cafes and adjacent restaurants and hotel. There is a nearby car park to the south-east and it is within the historical centre, connecting School Hill (Lewes High Street), to the humpback bridge of Cliffe High Street. Lewes mainline Railway Station (London Victoria 1 hour, London Bridge 90 mins and Brighton 20 mins) is just a 5 minute walk. Lewes is a stunning historical town with many attractive period buildings including the Norman Castle and Anne of Cleves House, surrounded by the South Downs and the River Ouse running through and the nature park just a hundred yards away from the property. There are excellent local primary and secondary schools as well as a superb community constituting many cultural and artistic clubs and societies.