High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7

Fitzroy House offers a wonderful opportunity to purchase a truly unique and substantial Victorian property located right in the heart of Lewes. The property is now in need of some renovation and modernisation and offers accommodation arranged over two floors.

Impressive oak front doors lead directly off the pedestrianised section of the High Street into the large and welcoming reception hall. Leading off the hall is a generously proportioned double aspect reading room/sitting room with original working fireplace and on the other side of the reception hall is the kitchen. To the far end of the hall and approached via double doors is the magnificent octagonal double height reception room with an extensive first floor gallery. This space provides one of the most dramatic reception spaces that you find in any property and is reminiscent of the Globe Theatre. This space is utilised by the current owner for numerous pop-up exhibitions by local artists. Beyond the octagonal reception room is what could be utilised as a bedroom, (requires updating) space for a shower, WC and store/utility. Approached off the hallway is a walled courtyard garden.

The first-floor accommodation is reached via an ornate staircase to one side of the reception hall and currently provides a spacious double aspect bedroom with wood burning stove, study (with double doors to a small balcony) and a further bedroom with a spacious en-suite bathroom.

Subject to any planning consents and change of use consents that maybe required the property provides the space and location to provide residential accommodation alongside perhaps live/work space, commercial space or exhibition space with the potential to incorporate an element of community use.

In addition to the extensive internal space that Fitzroy House offers there is a walled courtyard garden to the rear of the building with pedestrian access onto Frairs Walk.

Fitzroy House was commissioned by Hannah Fitzroy (nee Rothschild of the famous banking family) as a Memorial Library in honour of her late husband Sir Henry Fitzroy MP. The building was commissioned as a library and was the first public library in Lewes and was used as such for nearly 100 years and was frequented by Virginia Woolf. Hannah chose the eminent architect of the time Sir George Gilbert Scott to design what has been described as one of the best small Gothic Victorian buildings in the country. Amongst other things, Gilbert Scott was commissioned by Queen Victoria to design the Albert Memorial in London.

Fitzroy House is Grade II listed as being of important historic interest. Planning permission was granted by the Southdown National Park Authority on the 10/05/2018 under reference SDNP/18/01862/FUL for partial change of use from a private dwelling to a visual and performing arts exhibition with 1 private flat. Given that this consent was granted in 2018 it will have lapsed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves and make their own enquiries regarding both planning consents and change of use.

Fitzroy House lies within the conservation area in a prominent position on Lewes’s bustling High Street with everything the town offers on the doorstep.

This historic county town provides an extensive range of restaurants, shops and recreational facilities including the Depot Cinema. In addition, there are three supermarkets including Waitrose. Lewes mainline station is 0.3 of a mile from the house with direct services to Central London, Gatwick and Brighton. Lewes is the largest town within the South Downs National Park which provides wonderful scenic walks.

All of the schools within the town are within walking distance of the house and include both primary and secondary schools. In addition to the state schools there is Lewes Old Grammar School and further private schools within easy reach of the town.

Local Authority: Lewes District Council and Southdown National Park Authority
Council Tax Band: F
EPC Exempt