Welcome Home: First Residents Move into Paternoster House

It’s official! The doors are open, the keys have been handed over, and our first residents are now calling Paternoster House home!

After 22 months of careful restoration, design, and construction, this iconic historic building in the heart of Exeter has been transformed back into something truly special. Once Exeter’s first department store and later a symbol of decline and vacancy, Paternoster House is now alive with purpose once again.

From Derelict to Desirable

When we first stepped inside the building in 2023, there was water ingress, structural damage, and decades of neglect. But through all the rubble and rot, we could see its potential. 

We’ve come a long way since then. The main part of the building is now fully complete. The once-crumbling corridors are now beautifully finished. The foyer welcomes residents with warmth and style. The lift is working. The light-filled apartments — including the breathtaking turret home — are ready to be lived in.

More Than Just Bricks and Mortar

Bringing Paternoster House back to life has never just been about construction. It’s about what buildings mean to a city and the people who live in it. With our residents now moving in, that vision becomes real. A new chapter is beginning, not only for Paternoster but for the heart of Exeter.

There is still more to come. The basement-level work continues and our commercial units will soon be fitted out for new tenants. But this milestone is one worth pausing for. After all, restoring a historic building is one thing — but making it a place people truly want to live? That’s the real achievement.

Thank You

To everyone who played a part in this journey — our partners, local craftspeople, supporters, and the community who cheered us on — thank you.

And to our new residents: welcome home. We’re so glad you’re here.