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Nicola and Neil weren’t even househunting but fell for this quirky property, mortuary and all. Having expert help ensured there were no scares during the sale
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or most people, a house is not just a financial investment – it’s an emotional one. If you want somewhere to feel like home, you have to love it. That was the instant reaction Nicola Bhattacherjee had when she went to see Chapel Lodge, a Grade II listed property in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Built in 1897 by local architect Edward James Shrewsbury, it is unusual to say the least: a former caretaker’s cottage with a three-storey tower, gatehouse and mortuary chapel.
Nicola’s reaction came as a surprise to her – not least because the safety professional and her husband Neil, a performance manager for a telecoms company, had no intention of moving. At the time, they were focused on selling the former home of Nicola’s mother, who passed away last year.
“It just popped up on Facebook – and everything changed suddenly because it ticked all the right boxes for me,” she says. “We were already familiar with the place because we used to walk past it during lockdown. I was intrigued by it at the time because it was so different. I used to wonder what it was like. We caught a last-minute viewing on a Friday and put in an offer immediately.”
We bought a chapel
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Chapel Lodge had been on the market with a different agent some months previously but had failed to generate any interest. The estate agency now handling the sale is Fine & Country, which specialises in unique, characterful or high value properties in the UK and abroad.
The agent was Robert Cable, an expert in listed buildings, who set about working with the owner to ensure it stood out as the beautiful, distinctive property it is – which meant displaying its Italianate furnishings and interiors at their best.
Once people were enticed through the door, Robert knew interest would spark. Nicola’s parents had once owned a home in Italy, so she felt a deep connection to the styling. But one further detail sealed the decision.
“I could feel its history and heritage, and I loved the way you go from the sitting room into something that's not a classic living space in the chapel. But what really sealed it for me was the statue of a ballet dancer at the top of the stairs. My mum was a dancer with the Royal Ballet and it was like a sign.”
Nicola was undeterred by its listed status – in fact she was so set on the house she wrote the owner a letter. “I just told them how much I loved their home and how much I was looking forward to living in it and continuing to add to its legacy,” she says. “I realised that listed status means there will be hoops to jump through – but working on a house like this will be a labour of love for me.”
Buying and selling a property can be protracted and, in the wrong hands, stressful – which is why the agent is so pivotal, especially when it’s a listed building.
“This is a service industry – but above all it’s a people industry,” says Robert. "You have to understand what people’s desires are. The dream buyer is out there for every property, and our job is to find that buyer and make it as easy and as painless as possible.
“I could see Nicola loved Chapel Lodge but I always make sure buyers understand the practicalities – because these sales involve a lot of money, and everyone has to be confident and fully informed. You don’t want it to fall apart or one party to come out of it unhappy.”
Once Nicola’s offer was accepted, Robert was focused on ensuring the sale ran as smoothly as possible. Progress to completion can be fraught with pitfalls so it’s vital both parties are comfortable and there is trust all round. He made sure he was always available if Nicola needed him, sometimes going above and beyond the call of duty.
and the estate agent was a godsend
Individual taste The house is brimming with original Victorian quirks and charming eccentricities
Making connections
Agent Robert Cable says there’s a dream buyer for every property
Picture perfect
For Nicola, Fine & Country has been a delight to deal with
“I remember going to see the house again after we’d put the offer in,” Nicola says. “A bird had flown in, a wren, and Robert was trying to get it out safely. I think it took him nearly an hour. That was another sign for me.
“We did have some issues – but he’s always been available when we need him,” she says. “In fact, Fine & Country have been a delight. They’ve always given good advice and pointed us in the right direction to get things sorted. They’re good, they deliver.”
For Robert – and for Fine & Country – the proof of great service is often in repeat business years later.
“I think – I hope – we’ve done our job the best we can and we’ve found the perfect buyer for their dream house and got the right price for the seller,” Robert says.
“I’ll be talking to them long after the sale is complete. In fact, I know the sellers are going to have one final barbecue at the chapel, which I’ll be attending, and I’ve had the invite from Nicola to the housewarming.
“That is our strength: we build strong relationships, and often become part of the family.”
SPONSORED CONTENT
or most people, a house is not just a financial investment – it’s an emotional one. If you want somewhere to feel like home, you have to love it. That was the instant reaction Nicola Bhattacherjee had when she went to see Chapel Lodge, a Grade II listed property in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Built in 1897 by local architect Edward James Shrewsbury, it is unusual to say the least: a former caretaker’s cottage with a three-storey tower, gatehouse and mortuary chapel.
Chapel Lodge had been on the market with a different agent some months previously but had failed to generate any interest. The estate agency now handling the sale is Fine & Country, which specialises in unique, characterful or high value properties in the UK and abroad.
The agent was Robert Cable, an expert in listed buildings, who set about working with the owner to ensure it stood out as the beautiful, distinctive property it is – which meant displaying its Italianate furnishings and interiors at their best.
Once people were enticed through the door, Robert knew interest would spark. Nicola’s parents had once owned a home in Italy, so she felt a deep connection to the styling. But one further detail sealed the decision.
“I could feel its history and heritage, and I loved the way you go from the sitting room into something that's a not a classic living space in the chapel. But what really sealed it for me was the statue of a ballet dancer at the top of the stairs. My mum was a dancer with the Royal Ballet and it was like a sign.”
Nicola was undeterred by its listed status – in fact she was so set on the house she wrote the owner a letter. “I just told them how much I loved their home and how much I was looking forward to living in it and continuing to add to its legacy,” she says. “I realised that listed status means there will be hoops to jump through – but working on a house like this will be a labour of love for me.”
Buying and selling a property can be protracted and, in the wrong hands, stressful – which is why the agent is so pivotal, especially when it’s a listed building.
“This is a service industry – but above all it’s a people industry,” says Robert. "You have to understand what people’s desires are. The dream buyer is out there for every property, and our job is to find that buyer and make it as easy and as painless as possible.
“I could see Nicola loved Chapel Lodge but I always make sure buyers understand the practicalities – because these sales involve a lot of money, and everyone has to be confident and fully informed. You don’t want it to fall apart or one party to come out of it unhappy.”
Once Nicola’s offer was accepted, Robert was focused on ensuring the sale ran as smoothly as possible. Progress to completion can be fraught with pitfalls so it’s vital both parties are comfortable and there is trust all round. He made sure he was always available if Nicola needed him, sometimes going above and beyond the call of duty.
“I remember going to see the house again after we’d put the offer in,” Nicola says. “A bird had flown in, a wren, and Robert was trying to get it out safely. I think it took him nearly an hour. That was another sign for me.
“We did have some issues – but he’s always been available when we need him,” she says. “In fact, Fine & Country have been a delight. They’ve always given good advice and pointed us in the right direction to get things sorted. They’re good, they deliver.”
For Robert – and for Fine & Country – the proof of great service is often in repeat business years later.
“I think – I hope – we’ve done our job the best we can and we’ve found the perfect buyer for their dream house and got the right price for the seller,” Robert says.
“I’ll be talking to them long after the sale is complete. In fact, I know the sellers are going to have one final barbecue at the chapel, which I’ll be attending, and I’ve had the invite from Nicola to the housewarming.
“That is our strength: we build strong relationships, and often become part of the family.”