Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum is transforming its Station Agent’s House into a holiday property as part of a multimillion-pound restoration project.
The museum has teamed up with the Landmark Trust to lease and restore the Grade I-listed house, which was home to one of the world’s first station masters.
Dating from 1808, the building is one of the city’s oldest surviving Georgian houses. It became part of Manchester’s first station when it opened in 1830.
The Station Agent’s House was later converted into shops. Since the Science and Industry Museum opened in 1983, it has been used as offices.
Station Agent’s House restoration
When it reopens as a holiday let in 2024, it will be accessible to the public as a residence for the first time in 100 years. The property will sleep up to eight people.
Sally MacDonald, director of the Science and Industry Museum, said the Landmark Trust will be “bringing their expertise in sensitively restoring incredible heritage buildings“.
“At the Science and Industry Museum we explore ideas that change the world from our globally significant industrial heritage site,” she added.
Anna Keay, director of the Landmark Trust, said: “The Station Agent’s House, around which the pioneering station was created, is an outstanding piece of industrial heritage.
“The building will be sensitively repaired and made available to all through self-catering stays and free public open days.”
The adjacent 1830 station is currently being repaired as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s major redevelopment project.
The museum is transforming its buildings and improving its galleries. Its seven-acre site is home to two Grade I-listed buildings and four Grade II-listed buildings.
In more news, the Science and Industry Museum is opening a new excrement exhibition this summer, with visitors getting the opportunity to “travel like a poo”.
Images: Science Museum Group / David Oates
