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Having stood nearly derelict since a disastrous fire in 1878, Thorndon Hall was acquired by Thomas Bates & Sons, well known Essex builders, and restored bit by bit. to provide a range of luxury apartments and cottages, preserving as much of the remaining structures as possible.
The Main building was completed in 1980 and contains 37 flats, served by two lifts, a central courtyard and a south facing balcony with magnificent Corinthian pillars.
The East Wing, which originally housed the family chapel, was the next to be restored. It comprises 16 apartments around a central courtyard, served by a lift.
Next was the West Wing, (formerly stables and groom's quarters,) which comprises 12 apartments similarly arranged.
Each wing is connected to the main house by a quadrant. The East Quadrant originally housed the Library on the first floor. This has been converted to a splendid apartment, whilst the ground floor now houses three smaller cottage apartments.
The West Quadrant, which was originally a colonnaded covered walkway, now houses two attractive cottage apartments.
At each end of the property is a grassed courtyard, surrounded by pictureque cottages, which formerly served as coach houses, laundry, bakery and brew-house et cetera. The East Courtyard contains nine cottages and the West four.
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