Up-celling a home
GEORGE CLARKE MEETS THE WOMAN LIVING IN LUXURY IN A FORMER POLICE STATION
SPENDING the night in the cells isn’t everyone’s idea of luxury living. But first-time buyer Rachel has bought a West Yorkshire police station to convert into a dream home.
It’s the latest project in George Clarke’s series, where he meets ambitious property owners repurposing abandoned buildings, from former banks to barns.
Determined Rachel, 26, is a force to be reckoned with.
This may be her first step on the property ladder, but the fashion business owner wants to make a giant leap, turning cells into an office, swapping the check-in desk for a cosy lounge and even intro
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ducing a sun trap terrace out front.
She’d rather not spend any money on labour though, so putupon builder boyfriend, Mike is doing most of the physical graft, stepping away from his job to focus on the house full-time.
Two years later, amidst planning disputes, an endless to-do list and the unpleasant surprise of laying a brand-new roof, he might feel like a prison sentence would have been easier.
As always with these programmes, Rachel makes all the classic mistakes: she goes over time, bites off more than she can chew and totally ignores George’s expert advice.
But in the end the results are undeniably stunning.
Hiring in a little extra help at the finish, she’s able to give George the tour of a gorgeous home most twentysomethings couldn’t even dream of.
You wouldn’t believe an unused old prison could look so chic, and all for a fairly modest budget.
Has anyone got a local nick for sale?