Top architect has designs on landmark sites

Rural Retreats - 2008-11-19

A Pembrokeshire-born architect who has established an historic buildings trust to preserve and renovate a castle and a former priory in his home county is searching for further listed properties in the region.

Keith Griffiths hopes to create corporate retreats at Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory, St Davids, and is hunting for similar properties in other beautiful locations to add to his trust’s portfolio of corporate retreats.

Keith, who is based in Hong Kong where he heads the world’s second largest architectural practice, has visited Wales more than ten times in the last 12 months looking for suitable properties. Those he has already visited in South West Wales include former mansions and historic buildings adjacent to ancient monuments.

Keith wants to develop a strong brand in the corporate retreats market which is why he needs a range of buildings that offer choice and flexibility with the same standards of accommodation, historical interest, location and service.

He believes the value of beautiful, historic buildings can be unlocked by using them to provide corporate retreats at the top end of the market.

“Owners of these buildings struggle to make sufficient revenue through holiday lets to pay for the upkeep of the buildings,’’ he says. “By appealing to the corporate and high-end market the returns can be increased dramatically.’’

Keith has no intention of developing a hotel chain because it would necessitate damaging changes to these old buildings. “The alterations that would have to be made to allow them to comply with modern hotel fire regulations would be too destructive to the fabric of the buildings,’’ he says.

“I prefer to keep the buildings as close to their original as possible and lease them as single units to corporate or high end users.’’

The St Davids-born architect is currently focusing on South Wales to build up a compact portfolio. A good transport network in the region is an influential factor, he says. “South West Wales has excellent charter flights and road access compared to the established market in Cornwall,’’ he says.

“It has a lower density of people, buildings and traffic and has been well preserved by the National Park Authority whilst Cornwall has been over-developed, experiences road congestion and is far further from London.’’

Planning consent is currently being sought for Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory with a view to the properties coming onto the market early next year.

The fit out will be simple, minimalist and of the highest standard, says Keith. “My aim is to match the Armani and Bulgari hotel standards of fit-out within a historical building,’’ he explains.

Each property will have a housekeeper, maid and chef and will provide food of the highest standards, focusing on authentic local produce.