Historic house in Margate part of pioneering multi-generational living project

A once in a lifetime opportunity to move into a Victorian townhouse in Cliftonville West, has arisen thanks to a “ground-breaking” Kent County Council project, in partnership Thanet District Council.

The project has future-living at its heart and seeks to tackle the multiple challenges of climate change, an ageing population and housing shortages by renovating and converting an elegant mid-terrace property in Margate for multi-generational (3G) living.

12a Dalby Square is owned by Kent County Council and it is part of the £2.7m Dalby Square Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Thanet District Council.

The property has been sympathetically restored and reconfigured by Lee Evans architects and taken from former subdivided hotel rooms to a versatile home that can accommodate up to 12 people living as a family.

It is bright, spacious and characterful with seven well presented bedrooms, three kitchens, three bathrooms, three living rooms and a private garden. It boasts a wealth of period features and fittings throughout, views onto the beautiful communal gardens and on-street parking.

Cllr Lesley Game, Cabinet member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods at Thanet District Council said:

“It is no exaggeration to say that you will not find another property like this on the rental market. Everyone involved has worked hard to get to the stage where this magnificent property is ready to house a family.

“The space has been specifically redesigned to facilitate the multi-generational family experience and whoever lives here will be contributing to a pioneering research project with the University of Kent.

“The house is also located at the heart of a vibrant community and we hope that whoever moves in will embrace that.”

Eric Hotson, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services, said:

“I am delighted to see us reach the final stages of this very exciting project.

“This superb property will make a wonderful home for a family while also providing valuable information about multi-generational living and the way innovative technology can help overcome the challenges of climate change.”

The project team is looking for a family, spanning three generations, to move into the property at the end of June for a minimum of one year. The rent for the property is in the region of £1,500 pcm, Anyone who is, or who knows of a family, that would be interested they should contact Oakwood Homes on 08143. 221 133 or by email margate@oakwoodhomes.biz for more information.

The University of Kent’s School of Architecture and School of Psychology will conduct a year long study into the environmental performance of the building and the benefits and impact of multi-generational living in the 21st century.

This would involve monthly visits to download data from the wall sensors, as well as brief discussions about how the occupants are finding living there. In addition, there will be three extended interviews with the chosen family – one soon after they move in, another six months later and one at the end of the study year. These interviews would be combined with the monthly visits.

This research is essential because ultimately 12a Dalby Sq will be used as a prototype for how to adapt British historic buildings to accommodate projected societal and environmental changes. At the end of the project, a ‘Sustainable Heritage Toolkit’ will be published to help other coastal towns across the UK.

The property, built in 1870, has been future proofed for climate change as is projected to the year 2080 with better thermal performance, minimising flood risks and conserving water and energy.  

Adaptations to the building include the full renovation of the interior and exterior of the property to meet the challenges of climate change, flooding and coastal change. This approach takes into account rising fuel costs in winter whilst also reducing the future risk of overheating in summer months. Water consumption will be significantly reduced via low flow taps, showers and toilets, and a grey water recycling system will reuse bath and shower water to flush toilets.

The project has been described as “ground breaking by the Academy of Urbanism and “inspiring” by the Royal Town Planning Institute.