From a future slipping into dereliction to a home where you can slip your shoes off and enjoy the sunset on the terrace

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Some people are brave and once they can see that a location is an incredible prime spot to create a future dream home, they can often see past the rundown state of the property that currently occupies that spot and embrace the potential.

But what if a couple looking for a new home don't agree? What if one person wants to buy and bring the building back to life and one wants to run a mile and not look back once at the impending struggle and stress that the purchase will surely bring with it?

Who wins when one potential buyer wants to renovate and revive and one wants to find a family home with everything done and only paint colours, patterns, personal accessories and furniture to change and add to the new purchase?

READ MORE: The stunning transformation of a townhouse in the shadow of a Welsh castle

Go back in time over 150 years and there's a building on the waterfront of Pembroke Dock that is a buzzing centre of activity as a working property, but fast forward to 2009 and at least 50% of the site is in a sorry state, and the story is one of a rundown property with the future certain to be a slide into dereliction.

Called Pier House, at the time it was partially empty and showcasing dated decor and some worrying signs of the state of some parts of the building - it's never a joy to find foliage inside and the main feature in a room is an acrow prop helping to hold the ceiling up.

No wonder there was a difference of opinion when local couple - Craig Kidney and Bethan Roberts - first saw the building for sale online over six years ago. Teaching assistant Bethan from Saundersfoot says: "Most evenings I found Craig looking at houses or very random things on his phone - and this is exactly how he came across this property, late at night with me answering with an absolute 'no'!

"With myself replying with a firm no on this property to Craig, of course he went ahead and booked a viewing! The property was large, quirky and very unique. However it was run down, derelict and unloved.

"But, as soon as we had our first viewing we both agreed - we were both instantly excited, booked another viewing and from there we were ready for this challenge."

And what a challenge it was, dragging this old but important building back from the brink and transforming it into a remarkable dream home on the market for £1m and offering a new owner the unique location, oodles of character and charm but not a thing to do to renovate it - Bethan and Craig have done it for them.

The building achieved a Grade II listing in 1994 for its group value with the other listed items at Hobbs Point. The Cadw listing states it is thought the property was built 'in association with the Irish mail service from Hobbs Point and opened 1834, at which time offices and storehouses were said to have been built. By the late 19th century it was used by royal engineers.

The building is marked as a military stores depot on a 1860s map but on a 2022 map it is definitely marked down as a dream home with a mesmerising estuary view from its private terrace that seems to float out over the water.

That first viewing meant 18 months of blood, sweat and tears ahead of this ambitious couple, but it was too late to turn back as Bethan and plumber Craig had already fallen for the building and the vision of what it could become. But first it needed to be completely gutted.

Bethan says: "The whole house was scaffolded and the first job then was the fitting of a new roof. We really have knocked the inside down and started again.

"All internal walls were taken down, stripped back, some were sandblasted to expose the original stone walls and others wrapped with waterproof membrane. We had most of the existing windows restored and some newly made and fitted. At one point we even had a dumper truck and an excavator actually inside ready for the underfloor heating to be laid."

The list of work goes on and on, and includes the decision to remove two staircases and centre the journey up to the first floor around a stunning black metal bespoke replacement that is a nod back to the building's more industrial past.

The wonderful, robust structure is softened by the intricate pattern metalwork on each tread and chunky wood beams that it sits on. It's a statement piece that has been lavished on the home, a home that deserves the extra thought and expense that the couple have given it.

Bethan says: "With Craig, our friends and families doing a lot of the work - we knew where our weekends for the next year were getting spent. But, it was just over a year later we were able to move in, no carpets or walls painted and very little furniture - but we were in.

"We knew it was always going to be a long process but that never made us want to give up. We were lucky and never had any huge setbacks or major challenges, only falling pregnant six months into the process. During the process we have learnt it definitely gets worse before it gets better, some weeks it felt like we were going backwards."

The dark and dingy ground floor has been reborn into a light flooded family home with open spaces packed with character and an enveloping welcoming atmosphere.

The reinstated double front door way leads straight into a large living room with a very high ceiling and room for all the family to gather and watch TV or chat, alongside that amazing robust staircase that certainly makes a high and happy impact as the first impression of the home as soon as you enter.

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The accommodation then flows seamlessly into two more reception rooms - the dining room and then the lounge in a broken plan layout. Each has its separate space and unique ambience but each shares the joy of the log burner that nestles neatly into the central, dividing wall.

The dining room is spacious enough to easily welcome 10 visitors to the dining table, with the warm honey toned wood flooring and exposed stone wall contrasting beautifully against the deep, dark and moody inky blue on the wall. The luxury is topped off by a statement chandelier that brings an extra layer of sophistication.

This space is one of Bethan's favourite spaces and not just due to the interior design but also because it is so family-focused. She says: "My favourite feature in the house is the double-sided log burner, and I love being able to entertain in that room with the main living room and dining room open-plan - Christmas is my favourite time of year and I love being able to host Christmas Day for 16 around the table."

The lounge flows from the dining room via a wide, open doorway and this corner positioned space is another room where you want to spend time. Three windows give you three perfectly framed water views and the homely atmosphere is continued in this space via the natural wood floor and exposed stone walls.

The kitchen though is arguably the stand out showpiece of this super stylish home. Where once a shabby lean-to stood, the room is a triumph of design, with the glossy kitchen island positioned to look out of, and be surrounded by, floor-to-ceiling glazing that wraps the whole space in a breath-taking, waterside view.

From that kitchen island, the couple can stand and look out over the boats and vessels meandering past like a captain on the bridge of their own ship. Throw open the bi-fold doors and seamlessly step out onto the 'deck' of this luxury ship to be constantly mesmerised by the ever-changing view.

And if you fancy a dip in the water, no need to risk it in the estuary as this deck has a hot tub for a much more relaxing and fulfilling water experience and no chance of getting mown down by a passing ship. This very special kitchen space is the room that the couple both love the most but for slightly different reasons.

Bethan says: "It's my favourite room because I love cooking, and having family and friends over with the bi-folds open, entertaining both inside the kitchen and the outside area. And it's Craig's because any time of the day he will sit there and just watch the ever changing estuary (and my cooking!)."

If you can bring yourself to depart this permanent waterside deck then there's a games room that can reward you with its own bar, a place to enjoy a movie or yell at your football team's performance, or if you are feeling more energetic you can practice your golf swing with the golf simulator that calls this room home.

A versatile space though, the games room could be a playroom or home office if that suits the new owner's lifestyle needs, or maybe combine the best of all worlds and park your work desk in this room so you can practice your golf at lunchtime and toast the end of the working day at the bar.

Bethan says: "Craig's favourite feature of the house is his golf simulator in the games room - but not just him, also our little boy who has got into golf recently himself and loves a movie night in there."

The time has come to climb that amazing staircase, which leads to a rather grand galleried landing that sweeps from either side of the top of the stairs as the structure splits into two.

To one side, above the dining room and lounge, is the outstanding master suite that can boast a luxury shower room straight out of a posh hotel. The ensuite is accessed via a charming sliding wood and metal door that adds to the character of the house and illustrates the thought the couple have given to every detail in every space during the renovation work.

This is again proven in the ensuite with the choice of the stone basin, paying homage to the rocks peppered within the mesmerising view from the room, as well as providing a contrast of rough and smooth textures to this already tactile space - in other words, you just want to smooth and touch it.

You enter the master suite via a dedicated dressing room that flows into the bedroom area that can boast a period fireplace as well as a duo of delightful water views directly from the pillow.

There's more design thought in the bedroom area too, with a walk-in wardrobe hidden behind a wall behind the bed - you would never know it existed until you got to the end of the room and saw the intriguing open doorway.

On the other side of the central staircase and galleried landing there are three more spacious and delightful double bedrooms, as well as another beautiful bathroom.

This one offers a stunning free-standing statement bath positioned under the window to give the lucky occupant the best bay views bathed in sunset colours as well as being bathed in bubbles.

The couple have enjoyed living at the property for the five years since the renovation project was finished and are rightly happy with the dream home they have created.

Bethan says: "There isn't much we would have done differently. We were lucky to have so much help from family and friends, but also some great local tradesmen.

"My only advice to someone thinking of doing the same would be to ride the storm. I can remember thinking some days 'wow this is never going to be completed'. But soon enough it all starts coming together.

"We would definitely do it again - Craig is already on the hunt for another project. He is the one who can see beyond to see the full potential and make it all happen. Maybe next time I wouldn't be so quick to say 'no', and to have more of an open mind."

The Old Pier House is on the market for £1m with estate agents Country Living Group, call them on 01437 616101 to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors - join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter, sent to your inbox twice a week.

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