Due to Covid-19 and being in a lockdown for the majority of the year, I was unable to get access into my chosen building. We got to choose any building that was vacant and used to be a commercial property. With a lot of students living in different countries it has been interesting to see the array of sites from all around the world. As I am based in Canterbury my building lies in the heart of the city centre and deeply rooted in the history of Canterbury.
I was unable to get access to the property and was unable to find any existing architectural drawings. Luckily, the property was up for sale and there was a virtual tour so my drawings have been created using the video – which has been a challenge. I have attempted to make my drawings as accurate to the existing property as possible. The rich history of the building along with the look and style of the property is what has attracted me to the property.
The building I have chosen is Conquest House in Canterbury, 17 Palace Street. Built in 1107, this grade ll listed building offers great opportunities both commercially and as a residential property. Conquest House, located on Palace Street is located in the heart of Canterbury’s vibrant city centre and is situated just 0.1 miles to both the Cathedral and Marlowe Theatre. The city of Canterbury dates back to Roman times, remnants of which still remain today along with Medieval and Victorian architecture. Ideally located for commuters, with Canterbury West train station just 0.4 miles walk away, running the high speed service which takes you to London St Pancras in under an hour. Canterbury city centre has wealth of independent shops as well as major brands you would expect to see on the high street. The cosmopolitan nature of Canterbury’s residents has led to an array of restaurants and cafes serving dishes from across the globe.
On 29 December 1170, four Knights met at a house near Canterbury Cathedral to lay the final preparations for their plan. The next day, Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered. This is a deed which changed the course of history and certainly changed the fortunes of Canterbury itself. The place where the Knights met is reputed to be Conquest House on Palace Street. Looking at Conquest house today, you see a building steeped in history. The front that greets your eye as you pass down Palace Street is an enormously attractive half-timbered facade in late Tudor or Jacobean style. As attractive as the house exterior looks – and it certainly is attractive – it hides a much older interior, for behind the timber-framing lies a Norman undercroft. By comparison, the 14th-century galleried hall is relatively modern to say nothing of a highly decorative 17th-century fireplace! There are several interesting carvings, including an ornate coat of arms over the fireplace, created to celebrate the marriage of Charles I to Henrietta Maria, which took place at Canterbury Cathedral in 1625. The exterior of Conquest House is beautifully embellished with carvings, including a decorative frieze along the eaves, and fanciful brackets supporting the projecting jetties that thrust out over Palace Street.
The property offers flexible accommodation arranged over 4 floors of over 2200 square feet. The ground floor and Undercroft have been used as a shop and the upper two floors as accommodation. The property has A1 property usage. There is a courtyard garden at the rear. (https://thegoodestateagent.co.uk/property/17-palace-street-canterbury-ct1/)
Rachel C Clarke Portfolio 