One of the most inspired new homes schemes to be seen in Winchester for several years launches at a special reception at St Thomas Church in Southgate Street.

The Victorian and Grade II-listed church which, since falling out of religious use, has successfully fulfilled other roles within its unaltered exterior is now being converted into nine superbly luxurious homes with a total value in excess of £8 million.

The new apartments, including one within the tower itself, just beneath the spire and with spectacular views, are being created by Hemdean Ltd to offer comfortable layouts, the best quality fittings from Bulthaup, Miele, and Porcelanosa, and a sumptuous lifestyle.

A major advantage is that St Thomas’s is outside the city centre traffic system, simplifying access to the major roads network. However, St Thomas’s remains an integral part of the city centre, just a short walk from the railway station, Cathedral, and everything else this magnificent city, recently declared the best place to live in England by the Sunday Times, has to offer.

St Thomas’s enjoys an elevated position compared with much of the city centre; it offers fantastic wide vistas across the city roofscape to the South Downs escarpment that forms a backdrop to the Cathedral. In return, St Thomas’s offers such a significant landmark from beyond the city confines that the spire, a 160 foot high edifice added in 1857 a decade after the Church was consecrated, is mentioned in Thomas Hardy’s novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

Hemdean has a high regard for the integrity of its schemes, resulting in its work being held in equally high regard by those who live in them. Hemdean is experienced in refurbishment work and has completed many high-end specialist repair and refurbishment contracts on historical and listed buildings, so the future of St Thomas’s is in good hands.

The nine new homes will enjoy a variety of layouts and take advantage of existing fenestration to fully exploit natural light and the superb outlook.

There is good choice for potential owners, who will find a layout that fits their needs. Other important features include on-site allocated car parking, missing in some other conversion schemes where surrounding land is at a premium.

For more details and to register to attend the launch, contact Carter Jonas on 01962 842742 or email winchester@carterjonas.co.uk