Minister mulls Trust’s appeal to save Queen of the East

The future of one of Bermuda’s oldest landmarks still hangs in the balance today as the Planning Minister considers a last ditch appeal by the National Trust to save it from the wrecking ball.

A spokesman for the Department confirmed that Sylvan Richards had received the Trust’s six-page letter urging that the Queen of the East be put back on the list of protected buildings.

And just over a week after receiving it Mr Richards is still weighing up the Trust’s appeal.

A spokesperson for the Minister would not provide any further information on the matter other than to say: “The Minister has received the National Trust’s request and is at present considering it.”

‘Tragedy’

The trust contacted the Minister last week after the current owners of the property submitted a planning application seeking to demolish the old building and turn it into a six-story residential block.

The National Trust has said it would be a “tragedy” if the Queen of the East was levelled.

The old house, which was once used as a brothel — was built in 1740 by George Darrell and is the last surviving building of those originally built along Hamilton Harbour’s foreshore as part of the early settlement.

In the early 20th century the premises became a laundry and staff offered ‘additional services’ to sailors and soldiers giving the building its exotic name and reputation as a brothel.

The building had been a Grade I listed structure until 2007 when it lost listed status following a request from the agent for the owner.

The property at 26 Crow Lane has been for sale for several years, but on March 26 its owners applied for planning permission to demolish the existing structures.

The National Trust told the Bermuda Sun that it had filed an official objection to the Planning Department yesterday and provided a six-page document outlining its historical and architectural value.