Heritage Lincolnshire has recently acquired this Grade II* listed townhouse built in the early 18th century. Urgent repairs are being carried out to halt any further loss of historic fabric while a full repair scheme is drawn up by architects Anderson & Glenn.

 

 

116 High Street in Boston is a Grade II* listed townhouse built in the early 18th century.  It is a very fine building constructed in red brick with limestone dressings and with many original internal features surviving.  William Garfit II (1700-81) founded Lincolnshire's first private bank in this building in 1754 and it remained in use until 1891 when the bank was moved into the market place.  Since then it has been the 'Lincolnshire Diocesan Home for Fallen Women', a private house and the offices of various local businesses.

 

 116 High Street began to fall into disrepair in the late 1980's and has now been vacant for around 20 years.  The building is now in an extremely poor state, with main structural timbers affected with wet and dry rot and progressive decay to internal features such as panelling, fireplaces and flooring.  The gable end of the building is gradually detaching from the front elevation and there is a danger of imminent collapse.  The rear yard is also disused and is in need of regeneration.

 

 Photographs of the interior show the extent of the deterioration, but historic fabric has survived and can be repaired.

Heritage Lincolnshire began the project to restore the building in 2008 and have raised over £1.5 million thanks to the generous support of English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Further funds are required to ensure that the building and site to the rear can be regenerated for a new use. The Trust aims to provide facilities which can be used by a charitable organisation who will provide public access to the building and deliver economic and social benefits for the local community.