On a quiet stretch of coast in Suffolk, an early 19th-century Martello tower—a British Empire defense fort built during the Napoleonic wars—is home to a surprisingly cozy and modern interior that belies its daunting facade.

The stunning transformation of the Grade-II building from brick ruins to a contemporary dwelling has drawn praise and accolades, including the RIBA Award of 2010—and is now turning heads in the real estate market with an asking price of £1,250,000 (about $1,554,500).

Lauded as “exemplary” by historical site nonprofit English Heritage, the conversion at Martello Tower Y is the work of industrial designer Duncan Jackson of Billings Jackson Design and architect Stuart Piercy of Piercy & Company.

The duo was well-aware of the challenges they would face from the start: not only was the waterlogged structure in shambles, but it also lacked access to water and electricity and was a Scheduled Monument listed under Buildings at Risk in an ecologically sensitive area.

Working alongside conservation experts, the duo completed the ambitious renovation after eight years.

The thoughtful adaptive reuse of the two-story building has resulted in three livable floors. An outdoor metal staircase leads to the entrance on the first floor, where a cozy den with a wood-burning fireplace is located.

From there, residents can descend down the curved staircase to the ground floor sleeping areas, where there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms, or go up to the battlements, which have been converted into an open-plan living area with an outdoor terrace. A band of glazing wraps around the top floor for spectacular panoramic views.

Martello Tower Y, Bawdsey, Suffolk is now being listed by The Modern Home for £1,250,000. See the full listing here.

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Own a Brilliantly Converted Brick Fortress in England For $1.5M