A prominent 19th century seaside home is being brought back to life as five apartments after standing empty for eight years.

Developers DKB Property Development Ltd have started work on Tehidy House, on the corner of Orwell Road and Tower Road in Felixstowe, and described the property as being in a 'poor state of repair,' but are aiming to restore and convert it into a high quality development.

READ MORE: Felixstowe: Tehidy House to become 5 new apartments

Katie Bloomfield, who co-owns DKB Property Development with her husband Danny, said residents in the area were delighted with the work that was being done to renovate the home.

East Anglian Daily Times: Work has begun to create five apartments at Tehidy House in FelixstoweWork has begun to create five apartments at Tehidy House in Felixstowe (Image: DKB Property Consultants)However, she said there had been a lot of work involved, including liaising with consultants and structural engineers and going through East Suffolk Council's planning process.

Describing the building as a "magnificent structure" the mum-of-six said: "We kind of fell in love with it and we wanted to bring it back to life as a single dwelling, but not many people, apart from our family, need a seven bedroom house anymore.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

"With the amount of work needed, it would not have made business sense. Part of our mission is to bring back old buildings to create modern homes for the town and part of our mission is to bring back homes for the retired."

Mrs Bloomfield added the Tehidy House renovation was the first project of its kind undertaken by the developers and the biggest of the 29 properties the company is responsible for.

East Anglian Daily Times: A CGI of what Tehidy House will look like once completeA CGI of what Tehidy House will look like once complete (Image: DKB Property Consultants)External alterations to the building include the removal of a dilapidated conservatory; enlargement of the lounge window to form patio doors along with other window and door changes, installation of solar panels on north-facing roof slopes and the roof of a former garage and a single-storey extension to link the main building to the garage.

A new access will be created off Orwell Road with five parking spaces for residents with electric charging points plus two for visitors, while reconfiguring the internal layout to create the apartments.

Mrs Bloomfield said the work was still at the preparation stage with some removing taking place, including dormer windows to prepare for the apartments to be developed.

She hoped the project would be completed within 12 months.