Inside one of the completed flats(Image: NooKo)

Historic Exeter building is now unrecognisable inside

The views are astonishing

by · DevonLive

The refurbishment of an historic Exeter building into luxury flats is finally nearing completion. Developers have now given a glimpse into its transformation as the first of the new homes become available to reserve.

Anyone who has been into the city centre over the last year will have seen a huge construction project underway on the corner of North Street and Fore Street. Paternoster House, which was once home to the city's first department store is being turned into 28 luxury flats.

In December 2023, DevonLive was given an exclusive look around the building, when the scheme was still in its early stages. Workmen tasked with gutting the site had discovered relics from its time as a department store.

Among the items they found was an old receipt from Cornish and Co, where some Exeter locals may remember getting their school uniform until it closed in 1991. The building was also home to WM Brock and Co, often referred to as Brock's, which was known to stock furniture.

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After the closure of Cornish and Co, the commercial unit was occupied by Snappy Snaps printing shop until it moved to Queen Street in 2018. It then took on temporary uses, including an art gallery.

In 2020, plans were submitted to turn the building into a block of 28 flats, four of which were existing. The plans were eventually approved by Exeter City Council.

Work began in September 2023 and NooKo, the developers behind the scheme, have now unveiled the first two completed show apartments. One is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in multiple occupation (HMO), which spans over two floors offered at £800 per week. The other is a three-bedroom, three-bathroom flat with views over the Cathedral and a private outdoor terrace, offered at £700 per week.

The developers say the homes consist of some of the building's original materials, including furniture made from the original floor joists. Three of the flats have also been refitted with their original floorboards.

10 of the new flats are available to rent, with more to be available in early 2025. There are one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, with rent from £500 to £800 per week.

Paternoster House, Exeter(Image: Mary Stenson/DevonLive)
Work on the huge project began in September 2023.(Image: Mary Stenson/DevonLive)
A pulley system was installed on the inside of the building so that building materials could be easily lifted onto higher floors without causing disruption around North Street and Fore Street.(Image: Mary Stenson/DevonLive)
Original floorboards were maintained so they could be refitted into the completed flats.(Image: Mary Stenson/DevonLive)