Dere Street Homes formed as a homebuilder dedicated to developing homes of character and integrity.
Its first project was the castle at Castle Eden. The building dates back to the 13th Century and is an eclectic mix of Gothic, Pallacial and Gothic revival architecture, combined with a Capability Brown landscape garden, but it was approaching dereliction following many years of being empty. Following two years of painstaking restoration under the strict guidelines of English Heritage, this listed building was ready for occupation. Such was the success of the conversion that the houses were sold within 3 weeks.
In 2003, Dere Street Homes commenced work on Horn Hall, Stanhope which had been utilised as a community hospital until moving to new premises close by.
This project consisted of six large executive homes, four new builds and two converted from the original hospital, on this idyllic river frontage position overlooking the valley and fields beyond. This project was designed very closely with English Heritage and the local planning authority. A measure of its success can be gained from the comments of a prominent historic buildings architect who was not involved and stated that;
“It is gratifying to see a new development that sits within the landscape as if it was built two centuries before. It has avoided being a p and that is a credit to its developers”.
In the same year, The Leazes at Wolsingham was also started. A unique high quality development of twelve detached houses and apartments, set in a mature wooded 19th Century Estate following an ornate Victorian gothic style.
A number of private commissions followed for both wealthy business people and local celebrities. The projects were, in the main, conversions and remodelling of historic country houses, to the absolute highest of standards.
The Paddock at Witton le Wear was commenced in 2006. Nestling on a south facing hillside this development consists of 18 three and four bedroom houses. A mixture of locally and ethically sourced natural materials, painstaking traditional crafts and innovative designs have created homes offering contemporary and convenient living space combined with traditional Dales architecture. This development not only seamlessly blends in but enhances this beautiful village in this magnificent setting.
In 2007, Fell House Farm North Walbottle was purchased. This exclusive development is surrounded by the rolling Northumbrian fields and consists of just six properties, four of which are conversions of farm buildings with the fifth being a newly built detatched property on the site of the former farmhouse. The final property is a two bedroom cottage conversion with unsurpassed views to the West.
Existing features of the farm buildings and cottage have been retained and restored wherever possible, providing a superb mix of traditional rural architecture with the very latest interiors which offer exclusive homes to the fortunate purchasers.
Vaulted ceilings, exposed stone work and original beams show the development’s rich heritage whilst the latest gas-fired condensing boilers with underfloor heating throughout and superb internal fittings match this to the very latest technology.
Dedicated parking spaces have been included in the landscaped grounds of the development whilst all houses have controlled access via electric security gates and individual intercom units.