Guests at the launch of a scheme that converts a former church into nine luxury homes have given the project their blessing.

The designs for St Thomas Church in Southgate Street have brought about one of the most inspired new homes schemes to be seen in Winchester for several years and guests were quick to show enthusiasm when the show home was revealed for the first time.

“These first private viewings revealed to those who had been involved in facilitating the scheme and potential buyers just how visionary it has become as its full glory is unveiled,” said Chris Gooch, partner in charge of residential sales for Carter Jonas in Winchester.

“Officials and members from Winchester City and Hampshire County councils were among the guests, as were representatives of the Diocese of Winchester, local professionals, suppliers, architects and senior bank personnel.

“It is a long time since the Victorian and Grade II-listed church ceased to have religious use and it has successfully fulfilled other roles within its unaltered exterior for many years, most notably as home to the Hampshire County Records Office. It is now being converted into nine superbly luxurious homes with a total value in excess of £8 million.

“Those who will find the homes an appealing purchase asked enthusiastic questions about the scheme and showed great interest in how the church will welcome its new residents.”

The new apartments, including one within the tower itself, just beneath the spire and with spectacular views, are being created by Hemdean (St Thomas) Ltd to offer comfortable layouts, the best quality fittings from Bulthaup, Miele, and Porcelanosa, and a sumptuous lifestyle. Guide prices range from £625,000 to £1.45 million but owners of each apartment will take satisfaction from the high standards of unique design, construction, and finish.

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. But its position outside the city centre traffic system simplifies access to the major roads network.

Thanks to its elevated position compared with much of the city centre, St Thomas’s enjoys 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 about the St Thomas scheme, contact Carter Jonas on 01962 842742 or email winchester@carterjonas.co.uk