More on KentOnline
Home Canterbury News Article
A building known as the 'Elvis House' which stood as a tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll for more than 40 years will be transformed as part of an environmental makeover.
The derelict property in St Peter's Place, Canterbury, once a local attraction thanks to a long-standing poster of the superstar in an upstairs window, is to become the city's first net zero council home.
Canterbury City Council (CCC) says the boarded-up building will be packed with green technology and used as temporary accommodation for people awaiting an offer of permanent council housing.
Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Pip Hazelton (Lab, Westgate), said: “I am thrilled to see this vital step taken towards reshaping our housing stock which I’m sure will offer valuable insight for developing a retrofit-at-scale approach.
“Our residents deserve affordable, high-quality social homes and this is just more evidence of our commitment to delivering that.”
The property will be converted from a three to a two-bedroom house to comply with minimum space standards.
A new kitchen and bathroom will be installed alongside improvements to the garden. Its energy performance certificate rating will move from an E to an A - which is given to the most energy efficient type of property - thanks to upgrades like solar panels and triple-glazed windows.
The scheme will be part-funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will take approximately six months to complete.
The house is known for a poster of The Wonder of You singer remaining on display for 45 years, after it was first placed in a window by 14-year-old Corinne Mills.
The former Archbishop's School pupil moved into the property with her father, Harry, who was foreman of Westgate Gardens and head gardener for parks across the district.
But she left the house following the death of mum Dorothy in 2018, with the former family home becoming a target for vandals and unruly youths
In 2022, it was revealed that Elvis was had finally left the building after almost half a century.
The top-floor window displaying the poster was covered, prompting a mystery graffiti artist to daub an image of Elvis on the home in its place.
CCC has confirmed the original picture is not in the house and it does not know where it now is.
However, the local authority says it is aware of the property's eccentric history and will consider how it can incorporate a nod to its past through the project, potentially around the new building's name.