Appointed by Antrim Borough Council as part of a multi-disciplinary team, Johnston Houston provided full Cost Consultancy Services for the £ 6m redevelopment and regeneration of the Antrim Castle Gardens site to provide a Centre for Garden Heritage, partially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Castle Gardens have been recorded as being unique in Ireland, featuring one of the best examples of a late 17th century Anglo-Dutch water garden. The site covers an area of approximately 23.5 Hectares and is one of the most intact visible landscapes of this period. The site retains 3 scheduled ancient monuments and 6 listed building features on the site, which also fall within the Antrim Town Conservation Area with the listed features ranging from grade A to B1.
The scope of the project included restoration of the Castle Gardens site to create a Centre for Garden Heritage; Refurbishment of Clotworthy House to provide visitors facilities including exhibition area, café and public events accommodation; Restoration of the Victorian Pleasure Gardens, Kitchen and French Gardens; Stonework repairs to the 17th Century Italian Tower; and Reinstatement of the existing South and Long Canals, amongst other elements.
