Kit Martin
Encyclopedia
Kit Martin is an English architect
and country house
property developer.
on the safeguarding of major historic buildings and remains an Advisor to The Prince's Regeneration Trust
(previously being a Director of The Phoenix Trust), a Trustee of SAVE Europe's Heritage, and a former member of the Historic Buildings Council
for Scotland (now the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland). Martin has restored and converted around twelve houses, eight in England
and four in Scotland
, as well as other types of historic buildings. He has used the company name Kit Martin (Historic Houses Rescue) Limited since 1974, and Historic Houses Rescue Limited from 1996. From 2004-7 Martin was an advisor to SAVE Britain's Heritage
on the proposed purchase of Dumfries House
in Scotland. At his home, Gunton Park, Martin also restored the historic designed landscape, winning the Country Life
Genius of the Place Award for 2007.
England
Note: Ecton Hall in Northamptonshire, converted by Hertfordshire building company Period Property Investments Plc in 1986-9 into 12 apartments (plus 7 existing and 9 new estate dwellings), may have involved Martin, but this is unconfirmed.
Scotland
Other projects include:
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and country house
English country house
The English country house is a large house or mansion in the English countryside. Such houses were often owned by individuals who also owned a London house. This allowed to them to spend time in the country and in the city—hence, for these people, the term distinguished between town and country...
property developer.
Career
Martin is the son of Sir Leslie Martin, Professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge. Since the 1970s Martin has specialised in the saving and restoration of country houses, by dividing them into smaller dwellings and apartments. He is an advisor to the Prince of WalesCharles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
on the safeguarding of major historic buildings and remains an Advisor to The Prince's Regeneration Trust
The Prince's Regeneration Trust
The Prince’s Regeneration Trust is one of The Prince's Charities, a group of 19 charities of which HRH The Prince of Wales is President.The Prince's Regeneration Trust works throughout the United Kingdom to ensure that important historic buildings at risk of demolition or decay are preserved,...
(previously being a Director of The Phoenix Trust), a Trustee of SAVE Europe's Heritage, and a former member of the Historic Buildings Council
Historic Buildings Council
Three separate Historic Buildings Councils were created by the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953, one for each of England, Scotland and Wales...
for Scotland (now the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland). Martin has restored and converted around twelve houses, eight in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and four in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, as well as other types of historic buildings. He has used the company name Kit Martin (Historic Houses Rescue) Limited since 1974, and Historic Houses Rescue Limited from 1996. From 2004-7 Martin was an advisor to SAVE Britain's Heritage
SAVE Britain's Heritage
SAVE Britain's Heritage has been described as the most influential conservation group to have been established since William Morris founded the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings in 1877. It was created in 1975 - European Architectural Heritage Year - by a group of journalists,...
on the proposed purchase of Dumfries House
Dumfries House
Dumfries House is a Palladian country house in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located within a large estate, around 3 km west of Cumnock. It was built in the 1750s by John Adam and Robert Adam for William Dalrymple, 5th Earl of Dumfries, and inherited in due course by the Marquesses of Bute, in...
in Scotland. At his home, Gunton Park, Martin also restored the historic designed landscape, winning the Country Life
Country Life (magazine)
Country Life is a British weekly magazine, based in London at 110 Southwark Street, and owned by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary.- Topics :The magazine covers the pleasures and joys of rural life, as well as the concerns of rural people...
Genius of the Place Award for 2007.
Projects
Kit Martin's country house developments include (in date order):England
- Gunton Hall (Gunton Park), Norfolk, 1980, estate into 20 dwellings, one becoming Martin's own home; new boathouse in 2004
- Hazells Hall (or Hasells/Hassells), Bedfordshire, 1981-2, into 8 houses and 4 apartments
- Dingley Hall, Northamptonshire, early 1980s, into 7 houses and 3 apartments
- Callaly CastleCallaly CastleCallaly Castle is a Grade I listed building and a substantial country house to the north of the village of Callaly, which is some to the west of Alnwick, Northumberland, England.It is situated near the site of a 12th century motte castle...
, Northumberland, 1986-7 - Burley On The HillBurley, RutlandBurley, or Burley-on-the-Hill, is a village and civil parish in the county of Rutland in the East Midlands of England. It is located two miles north-east of Oakham....
, Rutland, 1993-8, into 6 apartments, estate into 22 dwellings - Stoneleigh AbbeyStoneleigh AbbeyStoneleigh Abbey is a large country mansion situated to the southwest of the village of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, England. It is a Grade I listed building.The Abbey was founded by the Cistercians in 1154...
, Warwickshire, 1996-2000, estate into 53 dwellings - Maristow HouseMaristow HouseMaristow House is located in Devon, England, just north of Plymouth, on the River Tavy. It was built circa 1560 and rebuilt in the mid-18th century and further remodelled in the early 20th century. It was the residence of the Lopes family: they had links with the Great Western Railway...
, Devon, 1996-2000
Note: Ecton Hall in Northamptonshire, converted by Hertfordshire building company Period Property Investments Plc in 1986-9 into 12 apartments (plus 7 existing and 9 new estate dwellings), may have involved Martin, but this is unconfirmed.
Scotland
- Cullen House, Aberdeenshire, 1983, into 6 houses, estate into 14 dwellings
- Keith Hall, Aberdeenshire, 1984-6
- Tyninghame HouseTyninghame HouseTyninghame House is a mansion in East Lothian, Scotland. It is located by the mouth of the River Tyne, east of Tyninghame and west of Dunbar. There was a manor at Tyninghame in 1094, and it was later a property of the Lauder of The Bass family. In the 17th century it was sold to the Earl of...
, East Lothian, 1987-9 - Formakin HouseFormakin HouseFormakin House is an early 20th-century mansion and estate in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is located south of the Firth of Clyde, and west of Bishopton. Formakin was designed by Robert Lorimer for wealthy businessman John Holms, though the main house was never completed...
, Renfrewshire, 1988-99, estate converted into 17 dwellings
Other projects include:
- St Nicholas Royal Naval Hospital, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, 1996-7
Books
- The Country House: To Be or Not to Be (1982) with Marcus BinneyMarcus BinneyMarcus Binney, CBE is a British architectural historian and author. He is best known for his conservation work regarding Britain's heritage.-Early and family life:...
, Save Britain's Heritage, ISBN 0905978129, ISBN 978-0905978123. - Chatham Historic Dockyard: Alive or Mothballed (1984) with Marcus BinneyMarcus BinneyMarcus Binney, CBE is a British architectural historian and author. He is best known for his conservation work regarding Britain's heritage.-Early and family life:...
, Save Britain's Heritage, ISBN 0905978196, ISBN 978-0905978192.