Although plans to extend historic Adras House have been on the drawing board since the old derelict home was initially purchased in 2005, the actual construction work on the extension did not commence until late 2008 and took until mid September 2009 to complete.

In total, it took approximately two years from start to finish to complete the entire extension project which included initial design and development stages, development and approval phases, construction and interior/exterior detailing of the building.

Much of the delays were due to local opposition to the development and issues associated with the 2008/09 - Global Financial Crisis, which resulted in our builder entered into voluntary liquidation.

Why opposition to the extension project was high is difficult to understand:

• the building was well designed,
• it was in keeping with the character and style of the existing home as well as the many historic buildings of the local historic precinct,
• it did not breach any of the building rules, regulations or codes applied by the Town of Vincent, and
• the materials intended for its construction, were all traditional materials used in many of the other buildings of the area, be they young or old.

Thankfully, our broad experiences in having to deal with town planning and development issues as part of our day to day work life enabled us to successfully argue why the development should be approved without compromise or concession.

The fact that the process took considerable time and effort to obtain the appropriate licences is merely part and parcel of the processes.

We personally believe that the final product has created a unique building which adds to the local historic precinct as well as the charm of the original home.