A building that was once home to one of Boston’s most well-known residents has been recognised with a blue plaque, as work on its sympathetic refurbishment progresses.
The Warehouse at 50 High Street, formerly the home and studio of renowned textile artist and designer Mary Farmer and her husband ceramicist Terry Moores, is currently undergoing extensive restoration and renovation works.
The refurbishment, which is being carried out by new owners Limrah Homes, will see a new commercial unit created in the building along with four apartments.
The sensitive works respect and reflect the heritage of the building which dates back to 1815, with the Warehouse once playing a key role in Boston’s bustling maritime trade. The works include removal of paint and restoration of the brickwork, along with the treatment of the beams, and improvements to the staircase, and changes to meet fire regulations.
The renovation has been supported by a grant from the Healing the High Street programme which is funded by the Towns Fund through Boston Town Board. Delivered by Heritage Lincolnshire, Healing the High Street offers grants to building owners so that they can invest in repairing and restoring historic features to their buildings.
On the 22nd October, visitors had the chance to take a look at the work underway when The Warehouse was recognised with a blue plaque by Boston Civic Group, along with three other historic buildings in the town.
We are truly privileged that we get to play a small part in bringing this beautiful building up to modern living standards. It is a unique building and what makes it so is the stories of the people who lived here.
Sabah HadiLimrah Homes
The grant funding we have received through the Healing the High Street scheme has really made a difference in helping us to deliver this exciting renovation.
The Warehouse is a beautiful building in Boston’s townscape, and it has such an interesting history from its maritime beginnings to more recently providing the home and studio for Mary Farmer.
Tracy StringfellowChief Executive of Heritage Lincolnshire
It is fantastic to see its restoration moving forward, and we’ve been delighted to be able to work with Sabah Hadi and Adil Chisti as they deliver this exciting renovation. We look forward to seeing it being brought back into use in the coming months.
The Healing the High Street scheme – which is supporting improvements to a number of buildings in Boston – is just one of the Boston Town Board projects that are being delivered to benefit the town centre.
Alison Fairman, a Boston Town Board member, was in attendance at the plaque unveiling and commented:
I’m delighted that the works have come to fruition and we will have another business and further quality accommodation in town.
Alison Fairman Boston Town Board Member
This is a great example of partnership working. The Town Board is delighted to be able to support projects like this that deliver a wider benefit for the town.
Jo Brigham Chair of Boston Town Board
The project is being delivered with architects Scorer Hawkins who are heritage specialists.
It’s wonderful to see the works underway on a building that is seen by so many on the approach to the town. It's not just the work and the preservation of the landmark that's important though, the new use for the building will help to sustain it for generations to come.
Chris Bowen Architect and Director
The works have included highly complex upgrades to the structure internally; reglazing the windows, preserving the historic signage and carrying out repairs externally which have focused on conserving all that is great about the Warehouse.
The work is expected to complete in coming months. A documentary on the building has been produced and can be viewed here: A Building Through Time – The Van Smirren Building Documentary – YouTube.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the Healing the High Street scheme can do so: towndeals@heritagelincolnshire.org or by visiting: Boston Town Deal • Heritage Lincolnshire. There is a limited amount of funding still available to help with eligible buildings.
Further information about Boston Heritage Plaques can be found here: Heritage Trail – Boston Preservation Trust.
Abdul Hamid Qureshi and Alison Fairman, Boston Town Board members with Sabah Hadi and Adil Chisti.
Sabah Hadi speaking at the blue plaques presentation event held by Boston Civic Group.
The Warehouse’s blue plaque.
