King Charles is transforming one of his royal estates into a glamorous venue set to host a number of events, including weddings.
Confirmed by The King’s Foundation in January, the renovation plans include an extension of Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, Scotland.
The single-story addition will be known as The King’s Hall, an extension of the East Wing of Dumfries House. This renovation is worth around $8.7 million, according to People.
Designed to cater events for up to 200 people, The King’s Hall will help “meet increasing demand for five-star events and bring more employment and education opportunities to the area,” a statement said.
Replacing the existing Pavilion, the upgrade is 4,628-square foot with a 3,35-square foot public hall.
The Dumfries House is a 300 year old country home originally designed by Robert Adam on a 2000-acre estate.
King Charles, who was Prince at the time, made a massive financial gamble in 2007 when he saved the home. The residence and its furniture was set to go to auction when King Charles purchased it for £45 million, roughly converting to $90 million AUD.
“I knew if we hadn’t stepped in and saved it, somebody would have bought it and said they had a great idea, you know, for golf courses and things,” he previously said in a documentary titled, A Royal Grand Design.
In 2016, the then-Prince Charles reflected on his “frightening” endeavour in a winter issue of Dumfries House Magazine.
“I look back to those very early days with immense relief at the extraordinary reality that we did, indeed, save the House and its marvellous contents, but then there was the frightening thought about the road ahead,” he wrote.
“The enthusiastic support from local people, and from our very first Guides, was incredibly heartwarming. Everyone exuded such a sense of optimism as to what could be achieved.”
His vision will finally be brought to life when the Hall opens for events in 2027. Revenue from ticketed venues and use of the hall will be used to continue his conservation and development efforts.
