First visit

Today was my first visit to the property. I hadn't concerned myself too much with the interior as it will be mostly gutted. However, there were some pleasant suprises inside and some features that I would definately wish to keep.
Here's a mini tour:

The exterior (I've always found this building attractive and even in it's rundown state it seems to have such potential)





The view from the 'old' offices (taken from outside 28a Sadler Gate)
After battling with the iron security gates we're in! This is the 'shop floor' area


Toby in the cubby hole (blocked up 'door-way' next to the chair in picture above)


The 'shop floor' will become a reception area, waiting area, meeting room, disabled toilet and second kitchen.
This wallpaper is up the first stairs and through the large landing and passages on the 1st floor - it reminded me of William Morris.



I took a close up photo and later I found via the internet that it is a William Morris design called 'Honeysuckle'. The paper looks in too good condtion to be 'antique' and was probably applied at the same time as the first stairs which do not look original. Nonetheless I would like to salvage/relocate some for nostalgia reasons and for the fact that I like it alot.
Under the stairs on the first floor. The central staircase will be relocated so the upper floor layouts will change.


There are some things I wouldn't wish to change such as this fireplace on the first floor. Gorgeous.



This is another first floor fire place. I haven't peeked behing that board yet.




The wallpaper in here is attractive too.



This will be the first floor kitchen and refitted toilet.


The second floor is quite bare.

Weird hanging paper people found behind a fireplace!

The following photos are of the third (top) floor. It's quite open plan up here and really light and airy (probably due to a window being out!). The views across Derby are great. There's also a huge attic.

Back to the ground floor there's a cellar to be explored properly with torches (rather than mobile phone lights). There are rumours of secret tunnels!!

We need to embark on some research as it is our intention to retain and enhance the heritage of the building, particularly the exterior.
I would love to know the history of the building. In my memory it has been a children's clothes shop (Ecco), jewellers (Carla Viali) and lighting shop but I wonder what I can glean about it's past.

We've bought it!

Today the sale finally completed! I have a quarter ownership of 2, Cheapside, Derby DE1 1BR.

It's an imposing corner, I would guess late Georgian shop/office, property. It's four storey with a cellar and in need of complete renovation. It will eventually be the new premises for my husband and sister-in-laws accountany practice 'The Tax Partnership'.

I'm trying not to concern myself with the fact that it was aquired on April Fool's Day ... well it was after 12.00 noon - so we may be OK....

This will be something of a journey, and this will be my journal.