Background
Martin is the son of Sir Leslie Martin, Professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.
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Kit Martin
Edit ProfileCareer
Since the 1970s Martin has specialised in the saving and restoration of country houses, by dividing them into smaller dwellings and apartments. Martin has restored and converted around twelve houses, eight in England and four in Scotland, as well as other types of historic buildings. He has used the company name Kit Martin (Historic Houses Rescue) Limited since 1974, and Historic Houses Rescue Limited from 1996.
From 2004-2007 Martin was an advisor to Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe Britain"s Heritage on the proposed purchase of Dumfries House in Scotland.
At his home, Gunton Park, Martin also restored the historic designed landscape, winning the Country Life Genius of the Place Award for 2007. Martin was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to conservation.
Kit Martin"s country house developments include (in date order):
England
Gunton Hall (Gunton Park), Norfolk, 1980, estate into 20 dwellings, one becoming Martin"s own home. New boathouse in 2004
Hazells Hall (or Hasells/Hassells), Bedfordshire, 1981-1982, into 8 houses and 4 apartments
Dingley Hall, Northamptonshire, early 1980s, into 7 houses and 3 apartments
Callaly Castle, Northumberland, 1986-1987
Burley On The Hill, Rutland, 1993-1998, into 6 apartments, estate into 22 dwellings
Stoneleigh Abbey, Warwickshire, 1996–2000, estate into 53 dwellings
Maristow House, Devon, 1996–2000.
Membership
He is an advisor to the Prince of Wales on the safeguarding of major historic buildings and remains an Advisor to The Prince"s Regeneration Trust (previously being a Director of The Phoenix Trust), a Trustee of Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe Europe"s Heritage, and a former member of the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland (now the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland).
