Renaissance Villages launches local history exhibition alongside new collection of apartments

On Wednesday 15 March, award winning developer Renaissance Villages launched an exhibition on the history of the site of Millbrook Village, Exeter’s only retirement village.

The event also marked the official opening of Buller House, a new collection of 23 two-bedroom luxury apartments, the latest phase of homes to be released at this sought-after development.

The exhibition has been curated in partnership with a local historian and explores the rich heritage of the Millbrook Village site, from Roman occupation to the thriving retirement community that it is today. It is now on display in Buller House for six weeks, for members of the public to visit and enjoy.

David Hodgetts, trustee of Step One, formerly known as The St Loye’s Foundation, was joined by Dick Passmore, the local historian upon whose research the exhibition is based and Duncan Walker, managing director of Renaissance Villages, to cut the red ribbon to officially open the exhibition and Buller House. 

Mr Passmore’s booklet – A brief history of Millbrook Village – is available to purchase at Buller House, with all donations going to Force, a Devon based cancer charity nominated by Mr Passmore. Renaissance Villages has donated an additional 50 booklets to Step One, as a contribution to their own fundraising efforts.

Buller House is built on the former site of The St Loye’s Residential College of Training and Rehabilitation for the Disabled, which occupied the Millbrook Village site from 1938-2008.

Founded by Dame Georgiana Buller, namesake for the new apartment block, St Loye’s College became one of the country’s foremost training centres for those living with disabilities. The college was visited by the Queen in 1976 after she had agreed to become Patron of the college.

Buller House consists of 23 two-bedroom luxury apartments set within Millbrook Village, an age exclusive development for over 55s in the heart of Exeter.

Each apartment is finished to the highest standard with spacious rooms, stylish fixtures and fittings, and a private balcony or patio.

Millbrook Village offers a total of 164 properties, including a selection of one and two-bedroom apartments and two and three bedroom cottages.

Springbok Hall, set to launch next month, will represent a social hub for the village.  The clubhouse will include a restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool, library, snooker room and activity rooms.

Duncan Walker, managing director of Renaissance Villages, comments: “We are very proud to be part of the latest chapter of this historic site and we are committed to respecting its heritage in our development. For centuries, those living, working and studying on the site of Millbrook Village have benefitted from its idyllic position on the upper banks of the River Exe and close to Exeter city centre, as our thriving community of residents continues to do so today.”

David Hodgetts, trustee for Step One, comments: “I am delighted to have taken part in the official opening of Buller House and an exhibition which plays tribute to the history of our organisation. We hope that many members of the public will visit the exhibition and learn more about our important work.”

Dick Passmore, local historian, comments: “It has been a pleasure for me to work with Renaissance Villages on this exhibition and to produce a book on the history of Millbrook Village, the product of several months of research on my part. I am so pleased that we are able to present the important history of this site to the wider public.”

The exhibition is open until 26 April, from 10am – 5pm daily.  Viewing is by appointment only. Please email sales@millbrookvillage.co.uk if you would like to make an appointment to visit.

For more information about the properties available at Millbrook Village, please visit www.millbrookvillage.co.uk or call 01392 275 335.