WHAT started as a stroll in the country with his family has turned into a huge labour of love for developer Grant Keenan.

For years he had walked past the dilapidated Larbert House with his dogs and young family.

Each time he was struck by the architecture of the building and imagined how the mansion would look restored to its former glory.

Now Grant, 43, who has a wealth of experience in the trade with names like Manor Kingdom, Persimmon and the Gladedale Group, is spearheading the redevelopment of Larbert House and the surrounding estate.

It is a huge undertaking, one that has been years in the planning and it heralds a new era for the beautiful Georgian building, once one of Scotland’s most prestigious mansion houses.

Grant said: “The launch of the Larbert House and Country Estate is a dream come true. I hope other people might take inspiration from this instead of demolishing and building new.”

Larbert House, a fine example of Georgian elegance, has a magnificent history but has lain empty since the mid-90s and fallen into disrepair.

 

A fire in 2006 reduced the house to a ruin but Grant said he could still see the potential to bring the estate back to life.

The house and grounds, set in woodland near the new Forth Valley Royal Hospital, are being transformed into an £18million residential development by Grant’s company Strathyre Properties.

The development is the firm’s first and has been in the planning since 2008 after Grant was made redundant. After years of dreaming and nailing down all the details, Grant took the plunge.

The B-listed main building will house 20 luxury apartments and the grounds will be well appointed with the old stables being turned into eight two, three and four-bedroom homes.

There will also be a replica stable block of 10 two, three and four-bedroom homes and the extensive walled garden area will house eight five-bedroom homes, plus another 11 in the grounds.

Specifications will be to a very high standard, with handcrafted feature staircases, Porcelanosa tiling and kitchens by Leicht.

Strathyre has already taken 12 reservations and Grant said he has been overwhelmed by the huge interest in his landmark development.

 

He said: “The response has been wonderful. We’re planning to retain the original stone Graham family crest so the history of the building will live on. And we found a small piece of original plaster coving, which we had cast and will copy in the properties.

“Hopefully we will return the estate to its former glory and make it a fantastic and beautiful neighbourhood for future generations .”

Ian Scott, of Falkirk Local History Society, said: “It’s great news that the long-awaited restoration of Larbert House is under way. The building is an important Stirlingshire mansion with 18-Century elements and additions by the celebrated architect David Hamilton, who designed Larbert Old Parish Church and Falkirk Steeple.

“Communities like ours have lost many fine buildings and can ill afford to watch another one bite the dust.”

He said news of the restoration was “a celebration for the whole community”.

The first residents are set to be in by Christmas.