Priorsgate apartments

With a rich history, Priorsgate was originally created as a wing to Queen Mary’s House. It was partly demolished and rebuilt with an extension and vaulted cellars before being separated from the house several years later.

Fast forward to 1889 when the development came into use as a boarding house and latterly staff accommodation for St Leonards school, who remain the owner today. 

As part of a wider masterplan for the St Leonards school campus, feasibility studies were undertaken to review options on how the building could be used, while respecting the historical fabric and character. 

The result was an extensive redevelopment in the early 2020s which saw their use change once more to self catering rental accommodation for the popular town of St Andrews. 

A building fabric study, timber rot survey and asbestos review were undertaken prior to the works commencing.  An M&E service upgrade included the installation of sprinklers within the internal floors that were carefully detailed to acknowledge and retain the buildings’ heritage. Acoustic separation detailing was also central to the design.

Careful conservation works over the buildings’ three storeys reflected and retained the charming and historic character of the building, with vaulted ceilings and other features including cornicing, wooden staircases and timber shutters in place. 

The five stylish and contemporary self catering apartments provide an additional revenue stream for the school, giving the building's original charm and heritage a new lease of life through considered restoration work.