From York Unlocked to 120 Heritage Homes

08

September, 2025

Opening the Doors to The Retreat, York

In September we welcomed more than 850 visitors as part of the city-wide York Unlocked heritage event

For the first time in its long history, the public were able to explore this extraordinary site – a place that has overlooked the city for more than two centuries. With 37 acres of landscaped grounds, a peaceful atmosphere, and views stretching to York Minster, it was a rare opportunity to step behind the walls and discover one of York’s hidden landmarks.

A Day of Discovery

The event, organised and promoted by York Unlocked, proved so popular that additional ticket allocations had to be released to meet demand. Visitors followed self-guided routes around the extensive grounds, with information points highlighting the site’s unique heritage and significance.

Many also stepped inside the former Recreation Hall to glimpse its remarkable interiors – a space rarely seen by the public before.

Heritage and Personal Stories

What made the day so special were the personal stories shared by former staff and families connected to The Retreat. Their memories added warmth and depth to the experience, reminding us of the human history woven into every part of this remarkable place.

Looking Ahead

We were delighted to host York Unlocked at The Retreat and are grateful to the volunteers who made the day possible. While this event was part of the city’s wider programme, we are planning our own series of heritage and engagement events, curated by our Events & Engagement Officer, Lucy South, to continue opening up the site to the community.

As development progresses, more areas of The Retreat will be revealed, offering new opportunities to explore and connect with its story.

The Future of The Retreat

The Retreat is now undergoing a transformation. The estate is being sensitively reshaped into a community of 120 characterful heritage homes, steeped in history and retaining many original features. Alongside these, a number of sustainably designed new homes will be created to sit perfectly within their historic surroundings – ensuring this unique site continues to play a role in York’s story for generations to come.

Be Part of the Next Chapter

Our next event will be the October Exclusive VIP Property Preview, offering a first look at this exciting new chapter for The Retreat, York.

👉 Register here to secure your place

You can also sign up to hear about future heritage and community events, so you don’t miss the chance to explore more of this remarkable site.

Jo’s Story at King’s Gate Macclesfield

28

March, 2025

Why you should move into a PJ Livesey home

Moving home is a big decision, but for one of our Kings Gate residents, it was an easy one

Jo’s Story – We caught up with Jo, who, having spent time living in France, decided to move to our historic site in Macclesfield and make it her home. Have a read of what she had to say about the whole experience and why she made the move.

Q: What is it about Kings Gate that made you want to move here?

A: “I know King’s School really well as it’s a historic site in Macclesfield, and when I saw that it had been sold, I was really excited that PJ Livesey bought it because I’d seen the historic developments in Didsbury and around the country.”

Q: How was the customer journey for you?

A: “The staff at PJ Livesey were so friendly and informative, they guided me through the whole process of moving.

“The home demo where the onsite manager showed me how to use the solar panels, the battery, the alarm and all of the extra features that I wasn’t used to living with was brilliant.

“There’s so much technology in this house, and I’m not so high-tech, I’m more hands on, so that support was great.”

Q: What do you like most about your home at Kings Gate?

A: “I love living in my home in Kings Gate, I live with my teenage daughter. The site is incredible, right in the centre of Macclesfield which is a historic town, and we can walk to the market, to the beautiful bars and restaurants, my daughter can walk to school, and we have all our friends living locally to us.

“When we moved in, we were so surprised because we’d moved from a historic cottage with draughty windows and creaky floors, and it was always cold. Our home at Kings Gate doesn’t seem to drop below 19 degrees because its super insulated. I love the details, so for example, I love the way the windows are wood on the inside but metal on the outside, and they’re also triple-glazed. I love how sound proof the house is because of the insultation. We’re in a busy area in the centre of Macclesfield but can’t hear any sounds from outside. The spaces are bigger than normal new build space, and the ceilings are really high. I love the living room, everyone loves it when they come in, everyone says wow, and I pretty much say wow every time I come into the house as well.”

Q: What is it about Kings Gate that sets it apart from other developments you’ve either looked at, or are nearby?

A: “PJ Livesey pays such attention to the smallest details and seems to really care about building a community not just houses.

“The fact that the development has all of these eco credentials related to it was really fantastic for me, it means the bills are cheap as we don’t really pay any electricity bills in the summer because we have the solar panels.

“Also, the marketing and sales team were very friendly and caring, they really promoted this idea that they’re building a community, and I think that sets PJ Livesey apart from other companies.”

Q: What is it about Kings Gate that made you want to move here?

A: “I know King’s School really well as it’s a historic site in Macclesfield, and when I saw that it had been bought, I was really excited that PJ Livesey bought it because I’d seen the historic developments in Didsbury and around the country.”

Q: How was the customer journey for you?

A: “The staff at PJ Livesey were so friendly and informative, they guided me through the process of moving. From the home demo where the onsite manager showed me how to use the solar panels, the battery, how the alarm worked, and all of the extra features that I wasn’t used to living with.

“There’s so much technology in this house, and I’m not so high-tech, I’m more hands-on, so that support was great.”

Q: What do you like most about your home at Kings Gate?

A: “I love living in my home in Kings Gate, I live here with my teenage daughter.

“First of all, the site is incredible, in the centre of Macclesfield which is a historic town, and we can walk to the market, to the beautiful bars and restaurants, my daughter can walk to school, and we have all our friends living locally to us.

“When we moved in, we were so surprised because we’d moved from a historic cottage with draughty windows and creaky floors, and it was always cold. So when we moved in here, we found that it doesn’t seem to drop below 19 degrees because it’s super insulated.”

“I love the spaces, they’re bigger than normal new-build space, and the ceilings are really high. Even this room, everyone says wow, and I pretty much say wow every time I come into the house as well.”

Jo’s experience highlights everything that makes Kings Gate special – heritage, sustainability, and a welcoming community, and now, you have the chance to be part of it.

The iconic Main School building, built in 1910, is being beautifully transformed into The Residence, a collection of 26 unique, high-specification 1, 2 & 3-bedroom apartments and penthouses. Each home offers private outdoor spaces and dedicated parking, combining historic charm with modern living.

With over 70% already reserved, now is the time to secure your dream home at Kings Gate. Don’t miss out – book your viewing today!

Discover Your Dream Home at The Retreat, Parbold

27

March, 2025

Discover Your Dream Home

Exceptional properties available at The Retreat, Parbold

Having launched The Retreat last summer, our team are working hard restoring the main building into 10 converted homes and laying the groundwork for our 13 newly built homes.

Fresh off the back of launching the marketing suite and having met a few interested locals on site already, we’re excited to reveal a bit more about the newly built, eco-friendly homes and their state-of-the-art features

Nestled in the charming village of Parbold, The Retreat offers an exclusive collection of homes that perfectly blend modern luxury with eco-conscious living. A mix of 2-5-bedroom homes, The Retreat offers residents the chance to relax and recharge – hence the name, The Retreat! Have a read below of all the different options on offer and learn more about our exclusive preview event coming up.

Newly Built Energy Efficient Houses at The Retreat
Current Availability

The Hayle
5 Bedrooms | Detached | 3 Floors

Designed for families who crave space and style, The Hayle includes:
• Dedicated living and dining spaces, plus a luxurious balcony
• An integral garage and private garden
• Prices starting from £1,100,000
Click here for more details >

The Kingsley
4 Bedrooms | Detached | 2 Floors

Perfect for modern living, this home features:
• Two en-suites and a family bathroom
• An open-plan kitchen and dining area that’s ideal for entertaining
• Prices starting from £999,950
Click here for more details >

Eco-Friendly Enhancements
At The Retreat, sustainability meets luxury. Each newly built home is equipped with eco-friendly features such as:
• A-rated EPC certification for energy efficiency
• Solar panels and optional solar battery storage
• EV charging points for green commuting

Experience Parbold Living
Located in the heart of West Lancashire, Parbold offers a perfect blend of countryside charm and modern convenience. The village boasts picturesque surroundings, a welcoming community, and excellent transport links, making it an ideal place to call home.

Ready to find your perfect home? Register your interest today and a member of the team will be in touch!

Mr & Mrs Hicks Set to Move into St James Park

19
March, 2025

Mr & Mrs Hicks Set to Move into St James Park

They have secured one of our stunning conversion properties

We’re thrilled to announce that the Hicks family will soon be joining the St James Park community. They have secured one of our stunning conversion properties within the Gothic-style, Grade II listed building that once formed part of the former St James Hospital.

While their new home is currently being prepared as our first show home, we are excited to offer registered clients an exclusive preview event on the 22nd and 23rd of March. This is a unique opportunity to be among the first to step inside this beautifully restored development before its national launch in April.

Q: What made you choose a PJ Livesey property?

A: “We originally considered buying a new-build property, but when we visited St James Park and saw the period conversions, we were blown away. Having seen some of PJ Livesey’s other developments around the UK, we knew we were making a great decision.”

Q: What are you most looking forward to about moving into St James Park?

A: “Just experiencing something a little different! We’ve always lived in the hustle and bustle of the city, so being able to relax in this little oasis is something truly special.”

St James Park is home to 151 beautifully converted residences, set within a collection of handsome Grade II listed buildings surrounded by mature parkland. The Hicks family’s future home is located in the Goddard section, where some properties feature stunning mezzanine landings and charming original details.

Alongside our heritage conversions, we are proud to offer a collection of newly built, eco-friendly 3, 4, and 5-bedroom homes designed for modern living. With over 70% already sold, these contemporary homes blend seamlessly with the historic surroundings, offering sustainable, energy-efficient living in this exceptional setting.

– Be Among the First to View St James Park –

Our first show home will be available to view exclusively for registered clients during our preview event on the 22nd and 23rd of March. To secure your place and be among the first to experience this stunning development ahead of its national launch in April, contact our sales team today.

Final Set of Homes Revealed at Kings Gate

05
December, 2024

Final Phase of Homes Revealed

Set within our exclusive address Kings Gate, Macclesfield

We’ve unveiled new images of the final set of homes at Kings Gate, formerly the iconic King’s School in Macclesfield.

West Gate, a mix of eco-friendly mews-style homes and apartments, is currently under construction. These homes will showcase the signature PJ Livesey architectural style, as seen in Phase One at Kings Gate and other developments across the UK.

Newly released images reveal high-specification contemporary living spaces, with stunning views over the central green space.

These homes will also feature cutting-edge energy-saving technology, allowing residents to reduce their energy bills. This includes triple-glazed windows, EV charging points, solar panels, and homes built to the highest EPC rating of A.

The development forms part of a collection of 81 converted and newly built homes. The Grade II listed Main School Building is currently being restored into 36 elegant heritage homes, expected to be completed next year.

The site is rich in history, with King’s School being one of the oldest in the country, tracing its origins back to 1502. Originally known as “The Free Grammar School of King Edward VI,” the school moved to its Cumberland Road location in 1854. In 2020, it relocated to a purpose-built facility in Prestbury, and the 5.3-acre site was granted planning permission for conversion into housing.

Gavin Pearce, Group Sales Manager of PJ Livesey, commented: “It feels like yesterday when we first put spades in the ground at Kings Gate. We’re incredibly proud to be unveiling the final phase of homes, which are already contributing to the thriving community we’re building.

“Sites like Kings Gate not only give us the chance to restore stunning heritage buildings but also to create new homes that meet the highest standards of quality and energy efficiency. Our mews-style houses and apartments will bring something unique to this community, and we’re excited to share more soon.”

Heritage Homes Launched at St. James Park, Southsea

27
November, 2024

First Heritage Homes Launched at St James Park, Southsea

Last week, we proudly showcased the first four of 151 heritage homes at St James Park, Southsea, during an exclusive event at our on-site marketing suite. Visitors enjoyed captivating visuals and marketing materials featuring the elegant mezzanine floors, luxurious living spaces, and picturesque gardens with river views. While access to the homes is not yet available, attendees experienced a glimpse of the lifestyle these unique properties will offer.

The Goddard Wing, rich in history, inspired conversations about the site’s past. Many visitors shared personal stories, deepening our understanding of St James Park’s significant role in Southsea’s history.

Join Us for “A Joyful Gathering” – 14th December

We’re thrilled to invite you to “A Joyful Gathering at St James Park” on 14th December. Celebrate the festive season with us and enjoy an exclusive preview of our Eco friendly newly built and heritage homes. If you’ve registered, watch for further details and your invite soon. Not registered yet? Sign up here to secure your place and receive exclusive updates.

Positive Momentum and Off-Plan Sales

Rebecca Drinkwater, Head of Customer Journey, reflected on the event’s success: “This has been a fantastic event, especially with the strong off-plan sales of our newly built homes. The enthusiasm from visitors only confirms how well the development is being received. Our restored heritage homes are the true heart of St James Park, and we’re excited to reveal even more in 2025.”

Stay Connected

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to welcoming you on 14th December and sharing more about this exciting project in the new year.