14 Cathedral Close, Exeter, is a Grade II listed mid-19th-century house, built around the 1840s in a Gothic Revival style. The building provides two storeys with attic and basement accommodation and occupies a prominent position on the north side of Cathedral Close, directly overlooking the Cathedral Green. Located within the Exeter Central Conservation Area and Area of Archaeological Importance, it forms part of the historic Cathedral Close setting and makes a strong contribution to the architectural and cultural character of central Exeter.

Architecturally, the house is of significant value, with its Victorian façade characterised by snecked grey limestone, ashlar quoins, stucco dressings and concrete coping to the gables. It is also one of the few buildings in the vicinity not to have been damaged or destroyed in the Blitz, which caused widespread destruction to the city’s historic core. On the night of 3rd–4th May 1942, around 30 acres of the city centre were destroyed and over 1,500 houses were completely lost, with many medieval buildings and landmarks lost forever. The fact that 14 Cathedral Close survived adds considerable weight to its heritage value, providing a rare and authentic link to Exeter’s pre-war fabric.

The project focuses on preserving this significance while enabling a viable long-term future for the building.