For the bibliophiles out there, this £45million housing development could feature the perfect property for you – with the site once being home to a historic printing warehouse.
The Old Printworks in Frome, Somerset, is located on the plot of the former Butler, Tanner and Dennis printing press, which was responsible for producing the very first Penguin books in 1935.
But developer Acorn Property Group has now turned the area into 157 modern abodes – complete with a mixture of two-bedroom apartments and houses, as well as three and four-bedroom homes.
Prices start from £310,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached house and from £400,000 for a four-bedroom townhouse, while two-bedroom apartments will start from £230,000.
For the bibliophiles out there, this £45million housing development (pictured) could feature the perfect property for you – with the site once being home to a historic printing warehouse
The Old Printworks in Frome, Somerset, is located on the plot of the former Butler, Tanner and Dennis printing press, which was responsible for producing the very first Penguin books in 1935. Pictured, the living room of one of the properties
But developer Acorn Property Group has now turned the area into 157 modern abodes (pictured is the kitchen of one of the homes) – complete with a mixture of two-bedroom apartments and houses, as well as three and four-bedroom homes
Prices start from £310,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached house and from £400,000 for a four-bedroom townhouse, while two-bedroom apartments will start from £230,000. Pictured, the living room of one of the abodes
Operating for 165 years, the Butler, Tanner and Dennis printworks worked with Penguin Books Ltd when the first ever ten paperbacks were launched, printing the third edition of Ariel by André Maurois, a biography of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (pictured left)
Revealed: The Old Printworks where the first Penguin paperback books were published
The Butler, Tanner and Dennis printworks (pictured), which operated for 165 years
Operating for 165 years, the Butler, Tanner and Dennis printworks worked with Penguin Books Ltd when the first ever ten paperbacks were launched, printing the third edition of Ariel by André Maurois, a biography of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Books that were printed at the factory include The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway and an edition of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.
The family firm first started with the idea to print only medicine labels and advertising leaflets for the latest pharmaceutical preparations.
But after investing in the latest technology, opening up its portfolio and with a highly skilled workforce, the company became regarded as one of Britain’s finest book printers.
The site on Caxton Road, Frome, finally closed in 2014, with it having been left unused since that time.
Operating for 165 years, the Butler, Tanner and Dennis printworks worked with Penguin Books Ltd when the first ever ten paperbacks were launched, printing the third edition of Ariel by André Maurois, a biography of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Located off Caxton Road, the properties are set amongst 1.5 acres of green space with a new pathway leading down to the picturesque banks of the River Frome.
The first phase, which also includes a two-bedroom coach house, will be ready this winter and impressive two impressive show homes have been carefully accessorised.
Each home was designed using timber frame construction and eco stock bricks, with triple glazing for insulation, energy saving appliances and lighting throughout and sustainable urban drainage systems.
There are communal electric charging points in the car park and many of the houses are electric car charging and solar panel ready to aid future installation. To support local ecology, there will be 12 bat houses, 10 bird boxes and specialist bee bricks across the build.
Located off Caxton Road, the properties (pictured) are set amongst 1.5 acres of green space with a new pathway leading down to the picturesque banks of the River Frome
The first phase, which also includes a two-bedroom coach house, will be ready this winter. Pictured, some of the many homes available in the housing development
Each home was designed using timber frame construction and eco stock bricks, with triple glazing for insulation (pictured), energy saving appliances and lighting throughout and sustainable urban drainage systems
The design of the homes includes a contemporary kitchen by Stormer, fully integrated appliances, Caesarstone worktops and sleek bathrooms with porcelain floor and wall tiling. For working from home, there is an Openreach fibre-optic broadband connection available.
The Old Printworks is located in Frome, an award-winning town that has been named the Best Place to Live in the South West (Sunday Times, 2018).
Residents are a 30-minute drive from the centre of Bath and less than an hour’s drive from Bristol, with rail connections across Somerset and towards London and Cardiff from Frome train station.
The town is excellently located for enjoying local culture, with The Frome Independent monthly market popular for enjoying fresh produce and the annual Frome Festival celebrating the arts.
There are communal electric charging points in the car park and many of the houses are electric car charging and solar panel ready to aid future installation. Pictured, the bedroom of one of the homes
To support local ecology, there will be 12 bat houses, 10 bird boxes and specialist bee bricks across the build. Pictured, a stunning bedroom and the decor, which was inspired with the vibrant colours found on Penguin books
The design of the homes includes a contemporary kitchen (pictured) by Stormer, fully integrated appliances, Caesarstone worktops and sleek bathrooms with porcelain floor and wall tiling
The Old Printworks (pictured is a study located in the housing development) is located in Frome, an award-winning town that has been named the Best Place to Live in the South West
Robin Squire, Regional Managing Director of Acorn’s Bristol office, said: ‘The Old Printworks is the transformation of a renowned printers the former Butler, Tanner and Dennis.
‘We are delighted to be breathing new life into this site, delivering bespoke high-quality homes which will provide a unique addition to Frome, for a new community to enjoy.’
Simon Blair, Managing Director of property investment and development group London & County, who also worked on the project, added: ‘Frome has been named as one the best places to live in the South West and has a rich, diverse local community.
‘The Old Printworks will provide stylish homes in a central location, allowing residents to enjoy the amazing culture on their doorstep. There are many schools within easy reach of the development, making The Old Printworks a prime opportunity for young and growing families.’