An historic 17th century house gutted in an arson attack is set for a multi-million pound transformation.
Grade II-listed Chaddock Hall in Wigan was destroyed by firebugs last December.
McCaul Homes, which own the property, has now started work on returning it to its former glory.
The Astley-based company, run by brothers Tony and Sean McCaul and Neil Cartwright, will renovate the two-acre site into a £7m gated village, built around the old hall and barns.
The project will see 27 houses built. There will be a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom detached, semi-detached homes with courtyards and walled gardens. The main house will be made into two homes – and the existing barns into four houses.
The hall has a chequered history. In the Middle Ages, it was a hamlet, with the hall surround by a few houses.
A family of yeoman farmers with the same name later occupied the estate.
In 1782, the Duke of Bridgewater leased land at Chaddock and it was bought for Bridgewater Estates in 1810. In the 1870s the hall was used as a school.
The manor hit the headlines in 2005 when it was at the centre of a court battle after millionaire Salford owner, Derrick Cunliffe died.
He married wife Monika just 13 months before passing away in 2002. Ms Cunliffe and her late husband’s family appeared in the High Court in London fighting over his £1.4m.
Ms Cunliffe was eventually left with £200,000 – but had to leave Chaddock.
Some of the new houses will have roof terraces. The site will have communal outdoor areas with water features.
Some ‘affordable’ homes, with prices ranging from £215,000 to £350,000, will be available should finish by the end of 2016.
Salford architects OMI have designed the scheme – which has already been put forward for this year’s National House Building Awards.
Sean McCaul, from McCaul Homes, said: “This is our most exciting project to date because it is a landmark site. We are doing our bit, not just to retain a vital part of the area’s history, but breathe new life into it.
“This will be a definite first for the area. We are recreating a village feel around the hall and giving history a modern twist.”
Bosses say around 50 jobs will be created as part of the development. Peel bosses attempted to transform the site in 2012, but the project fell through.