The former mansion of a golfing legend has been saved from ruin and turned into the ultimate home for dedicated golfers.
A Victorian mansion once owned by the man who founded one of the greatest golfing tournaments in the world has been rescued from ruin and turned into the ultimate ‘des res’ for golfers.
Coodham House, near Symington in Ayrshire was the family home of James Ogilvy Fairlie, the creator of Prestwick Golf Course and the man who started the Open Championship 149 years ago.
The once ruined four-storey Victorian mansion has been resurrected from a derelict shell and turned into six exclusive apartments and three additional luxury homes just minutes from Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick golf courses.
”Fairlie is credited as being the man who persuaded golf course architect Old Tom Morris to design Prestwick Golf Club in 1851 and of setting up the first ever British Open Championship at the same venue nine years later,” said Malcolm Campbell, Chief Executive of The Links Golf Association.
“He was a leading character in the Royal & Ancient back in the early days and was a mentor to Old Tom.
”Old Tom held him in such high regard he acted as his caddy and it was Fairlie who took him down from St Andrews to Prestwick to build the golf course which led to the first Open Championship.
“He is recognised as a leading historical figure among those who delve into the roots of the game”.
Coodham House was built in memory of James’s father, William Fairlie, by his widow Margaret who bought the estate in 1825 and commissioned the large and opulent country house as the new family home. It was here that James, who inherited the estate in 1845, began planning the Prestwick course and the Open Championship – now considered one of the greatest golf tournaments in the world.
“We were aware that in renovating Coodham House we were acting as custodians of history and culture as well as simply redesigning a magnificent property,” said Willy Findlater of CDP Architects.
“Being a listed building meant it all had to be restored using traditional skills and to satisfy the requirements of South Ayrshire Council and Historic Scotland we had to ensure the integrity of the historic fabric was maintained,”
Traditional lime mortars and putties were used while samples of the remaining stone were taken away for analysis to find an exact geological match for the original pink sandstone quarried from Glasgow.
Five years of painstaking work by developers, Goldrealm properties, has resulted in the original A-listed external walls being meticulously restored or replaced, including the intricate roof balustrade and entrance pillars which lead to a spectacular Turkish marble hall and staircase.
Within the façade a totally new structure has been designed around the existing windows and other features to create four luxury apartments and two lavish duplex apartments while the East Wing, Chapel and West Wing form a further three very individual designer homes.
Each apartment has been finished to the highest standards to include timber floors, deep oak skirting, handcrafted doors and windows, ornate Georgian-style plasterwork inspired by Robert Adam, designer kitchens, luxury bathrooms with Porcelanosa ceramic tiles, and state-of-the art technology to create cable free audio visual facilities, lighting, satellite TV and a video-voice security system.
The sale of the apartments and three individually designed homes, ranging from £330,000 to £750,000, is being handled jointly by leading Scottish property specialists CKD Galbraith and Savills.
“Coodham is an extraordinary and unique development unmatched in the West of Scotland,” said Bob Cherry, of selling agents CKD Galbraith.
“With Prestwick, Troon, Turnberry golf courses, and a new development near Irvine called The Ayrshire, all within a few miles there is bound to be a lot of interest from the golfing community.
“The apartments would suit people looking for a property in close proximity to some of the best and most famous golf courses in the world.”
”It combines the character of a 19th century mansion with contemporary quality and style.
”The resulting apartments and houses are highly individual homes in a stunning setting, with all bar one enjoying views over the estate’s private lake.”
The same attention to detail has also been lavished on the grounds surrounding the house, providing residents with almost three miles of picturesque walks, woodlands and a lake teaming with fish.
“I’ve rarely seen anything like the attention to detail and the sheer quality of the refurbishment of Coodham,” said Jennifer Goldie of Savills.
”Each of the nine properties is bespoke, making them perfect for discerning “down sizers” – maybe someone selling a period property in Troon, who doesn’t want to compromise on style and craftsmanship, but appreciates the technology and modern comforts that are part of the package here.
”They would also make fantastic UK bases or second homes for someone living abroad – you’re not far from the airports at Prestwick and Glasgow, and you’ve got a huge array of golf courses to choose from, wonderful beaches and peaceful countryside.”
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A video on Coodham House can found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiq7prb9ahA
