THE transformation of a former art gallery into luxury apartments in a prime spot close to the Cliffs Pavilion will be completed “early next year”, it has been revealed. 

The old Beecroft Art Gallery, in Westcliff, is in the process of being developed into nine “high-quality flats” and developer Property Point Homes is confident the first show home will open in January ahead of the flats hitting the market. 

In a bid to preserve the character of the Edwardian building, the outside of the building is remaining largely unchanged apart from new windows and the roof being re-tiled. 

Echo: Two and three-bedroom apartments are expected to go on the market in 2024.Two and three-bedroom apartments are expected to go on the market in 2024. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Lee Gayler, from Property Point Homes, said: “The old timber has been restored and 80 per cent of the windows are now in. The show flat should be ready in January.

“£1.8million pounds has been spent on this, with another £500,000 to £700,000 to come. No expense has been spared in restoring this building.”

Southend Council sold the old Beecroft Art Gallery on Westcliff Avenue, for more than £1million earlier this year. 

The art gallery moved from its original Edwardian building to the town’s former library in Victoria Avenue, Southend, in 2014.

It was donated to the town by lawyer and art collector Walter Beecroft in 1952.

Westcliff Avenue resident Briony Heynes, 28, says she would have preferred the building to remain an art gallery, but admits it was vacant for several years.

She said: “Squatters were living in it. I didn’t like walking past it because it was quite dodgy.

“I don’t have a problem with it. I would love an art gallery on our road but it’s not likely. It was worse when it was empty.”

Echo: Fred Laws House is also on the market for potential development.Fred Laws House is also on the market for potential development. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

One Winton Avenue resident is unhappy about the council selling the building for development but is “glad they didn’t knock it down”.

Alex Chater, 70, said: “I’d prefer it to remain an art gallery because moving it to the old library was a disaster. People don’t go there. It kind of goes against what Mr Beecroft originally envisaged.

“I feel his legacy is being diminished and will eventually be got rid of.”