Salvage Hunter Drew Pritchard is taking on the challenge of a lifetime, pouring his "years of graft, knowledge and vision" into renovating a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse. His ambitious journey will be documented in a new series of Salvage Hunters, premiering February 5. After shutting up shop in his antiques store in Conwy in May 2022, Drew snapped up a five-storey gem in Bath's historic city centre. Despite being the "most exciting" endeavour he's tackled, it's fraught with hurdles; Quest TV reveals the property was in dire need of "urgent and costly repairs" before even considering the replacement of the roof and 20 windows.
Drew has confessed this is the most financially daring venture he's ever taken on. Located in the prestigious St James' Square, the once-grand building had fallen on hard times since its conversion into flats in the early '70s. Describing the house as riddled with "bodged repairs" and coated in white gloss paint, Drew saw it as the "worst house in the best location". Yet, it was a case of love at first sight for him, leading to an impulsive purchase at an open viewing in the summer of 2022.
Teaming up with Bath architect Rhys Brookes, he's resolved to bring the property back to its past splendour. He aims to revive the building's authentic paintwork, fit reclaimed heaters and hunt down vintage bathroom pieces, reports North Wales Live. In the new series, art historian Dan Cruickshank delves into the world of Georgian Britain, exploring the intricacies of the architecture and uncovering the craftsmanship, character, and hidden stories behind these iconic buildings. The series is filmed at Cruickshank's historic home in Spitalfields.
Drew, a seasoned restorer of period properties, has previously worked on projects such as a Methodist chapel in the Conwy countryside, which he purchased in 1995. Following his divorce, he relocated to a Regency cottage outside Conwy town's walls, affectionately dubbed "Chateau Despair" by a friend. However, after a thorough renovation, Drew grew to adore the property. His latest project in Bath is even more ambitious.
To furnish the house, Drew transferred some of his collectibles from Conwy and scoured the UK for period-specific fixtures and fittings, committed to using only reclaimed, salvaged, recycled, and antique materials. Drew's dedication to "putting back the soul of this historic building" can be followed in the new series of Salvage Hunters: Georgian House Restoration, which kicks off on Wednesday, February 5 at 10pm on Quest TV. The series spans five episodes.
