Former squash court in Faversham converted into two-bedroom home up for sale
06:00, 15 June 2021
A derelict squash court converted into a unique two-bedroom home has been put on the market by its owner after more than 30 years.
Richard Wilson, 83, bought Watershed Studio in Canterbury Road, Faversham, in 1987 and soon set about transforming the ramshackle building.
The distinctive property, on the junction with The Mall, was built in 1925 and was used as a private squash court until about the late 1950s.
Mr Wilson remembers the uphill task he and his wife were presented with when they snapped up the studio.
"It was derelict with trees growing up through the floor and ivy hanging down the wall on the inside, so it was pretty useless really,” he told KentOnline.
"Someone had used it for storage but apart from that, it hadn’t been used for years."
Mr Wilson says the squash court was once owned by the Neame family, who are famous for running the town's brewery.
Explaining the decision to buy the site, Mr Wilson said: “My wife was a painter who was painting quite large canvases.
"I’m a sculptor and I needed workshop premises so we thought that place would serve us perfectly well. We bought it and then set about trying to make it habitable really, which we managed to do to our own satisfaction.
“My wife died about 12 years and I’ve been here alone ever since.
"It could have been turned into an upmarket, modern house but we decided we needed the space and we made it as comfortable as we could.
“We put in a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and the rest is just studio space."
Now, Mr Wilson is looking for something smaller and believes the home will be perfect for a creative person, or could even be converted into a family home.
"It’s a good place for parties because it has a big space and it’s detached so we could let our hair down a bit and turn the music up," he added.
Faversham-based estate agent Iliffe & Iliffe says the property offers open-plan living. A key feature in the large living room is a gas-converted, wood-burning stove.
Off the entrance hall and studio, there is a kitchen, home office, utility room area, bathroom and a second bedroom, which has French doors leading out onto one of two courtyard gardens said to be perfect for outside entertaining or relaxing.
Upstairs there is a double bedroom and a large gallery on a mezzanine level.
There is off-street parking for two cars.
The property is being marked for offers in excess of £375,000.
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