The Board of Trustees of Burkitt Homes Almshouses in King’s Lynn have just finished their latest significant project of ongoing refurbishment and improvements to the original 12 apartments.
Originally built in 1909, Burkitt Homes is a traditional quadrangle build in red brick under clay plain tiled roofs providing what were originally 12 bedsit type homes with central castellated entrance tower, board room, separate wash house and, by the standards of the day, modern external bath houses (removed many years ago). The buildings were clearly of a high quality specification in their day and weathered well over the years.
About ten years ago, the trustees of the charity agreed that the homes were due a significant internal upgrade and renovation to bring them up to modern standards. It was essential in order to find new residents as very old and long standing occupants passed on. At the same time, it was decided to combine the smallest apartments into neighbouring units to create the option of units with separate living rooms and bedroom. It was not necessary to combine all the units as the prime location of the almshouses, right in the historic heart of one thousand year old Kings Lynn – a former Hanseatic League port town – has meant that, once refurbished, these ones are in high demand from new residents when a vacancy occurs.
This case study concentrates on homes 11 & 12; the combining of these two smaller units that were both in immediate need of complete internal renovation in order to make them suitable for occupation.
BEFORE
The trustees used their previous experience to design the combination of two units and add improvements. Rewiring was carried out, all new kitchen fitted, new shower room with sealed wet floor and all new sanitary fittings. There had been previous alterations and basic additions in about the 1970s and these were reversed. Internal floor levels were all re-levelled to remove trip hazards. Complete internal redecoration was carried out which, along with new lighting provision, vastly brightened the accommodation. The Trust’s policy is to provide carpets and curtains for a new ingoing resident.
and AFTER…
The new apartment provides accommodation of entrance hall, utility room with plumbing for washing machine and a drier, living room with dual aspects to Queen Street and the internal lawned quad, double bedroom with large store area (created from the former second entrance hall), rear lobby with cupboard, large shower room, and rear hall with a separate WC and entrance door to an enclosed courtyard. The shower room, separate WC and utility room have had wet wall board applied to the walls for easy maintenance and insulation, and the kitchen and other ancillary rooms (except the living room and bedroom) had lowered false ceilings put in to improve insulative qualities. Secondary glazing is due to be fitted.
Following the completion of the works the new, enlarged apartment was advertised seeking a resident with a connection to or from King’s Lynn, over the age of 55 and “in need”. Within a short while a new resident was appointed and is now happily ensconced.
The trustees are grateful to The Almshouse Association for their assistance in providing an interest free loan of ÂŁ65,000 that has gone a long way in covering the up-front capital costs of this job. They are now embarking on another refurbishment!
Sent in by Tim Landles – Chairman of the Burkitt Homes Board of Trustees.
The Association is looking forward to seeing the impressive results from their next project!
Well done to everyone involved !
Posted March 2023