Specialist contractor is converting two churches
A SPECIALIST contractor on converting churches into homes is now working on two local church projects.
Ebenezer Church and Torteval Methodist Church are both currently being converted into flats by developer JAJ, which confirmed it was now working with Macob Guernsey, part of the Jersey firm Kalmac Construction.
JAJ specialises in church conversions. Owner Jonathan Ruff said that he got bored with with the plain boxes of other residential properties.
‘The look of a church has substance. I think people get more for their money, they have a unique feel, that people can be proud to live in. But they can be a nightmare to convert, with quirky angles and large windows that can stretch across floors.’
Mr Ruff thought the change of contractor would lead to a delay of about two months in completing Ebenezer Church.
The listed building, on Brock Road in St Peter Port, is now likely to be completed at the end of 2023, having been due to finish in the spring. The former Methodist chapel held its last service on 26 July 1993, before falling into disuse, and it was sold by the Methodist Church for £735,000 in 2012.
JAJ Properties bought the site for £1.055m. in July 2021, and work began to convert the building into 17 flats in August 2021.
The site includes the old church hall – once home to the 1st Company Boys’ Brigade – which is being rebuilt as a three-storey extension to the main building.
The Torteval site was bought by JAJ for £635,000 in February 2021 and is being converted into eight apartments.
The developers said they hoped the site would be completed by the end of April 2023, and that estate agent Cooper Brouard, which is marketing the flats, had already received a huge amount of interest.
Macob has replaced Pulse Group on both projects.
Pulse Group company director Dan Maree confirmed it was no longer involved.
