Historic Rye Monastery up for sale

One of Rye's most historic buildings has been put on the market.

The Austin Friars Monastery at Conduit Hill was built around 1370 and was one of the most important buildings within Rye until the Reformation, when its Ecclesiastical use ceased.

Over the years the building has been used for a variety of uses including: a wool warehouse, meeting hall, theatre and more recently a pottery studio.

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Now more than six centuries later, the Monastery could become flats or a restaurant or hotel.

It is on the market with Mayfair based Humberts Leisure, who are inviting offers.

The building is the Friends' of Rye Library's favoured site for a new library in Rye and it has also been ear-marked as ebing suitable for a new theatre in Rye named after famous local playwright John Fletcher.

Tunbridge Wells based Starnes Ltd acquired the building in 2006 and has cleared the building in advance of commencing renovation works with a view to creating a 7,000 sq ft premises split over three floors.

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James Cogavin, from Humberts, said: "Careful attention has been given to the reopening on the original 14th Century arched windows to the west and southern elevations. These will be a key attraction once the renovation work is complete.

"While the ground and first floors are being marketed as suitable to restaurateurs and hoteliers, the second floor is being offered as "flexible space". Ultimately the owner will be led by the incoming operator but their initial ideas for the second floor include a performance area/theatre, cinema or function room.

"The property also includes a disused period two storey redbrick cottage which adjoins the main building at ground and first floor level at Conduit Hill. This could be renovated to provide residential accommodation or incorporated within the commercial element.

"Within the courtyard will be an impressive terrace which will allow outside dining throughout the day.

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"There may also be an opportunity, subject to planning consent, to construct new buildings within the courtyard. This could provide further space to accommodate additional or complementary uses.

"Recent research that we have undertaken would suggest that Rye would benefit greatly from some good fine dining facilities. As Rye enjoys strong tourist visitor numbers and an affluent local catchment, we are expecting keen interest in this unique opportunity".

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