The Bermuda National Trust has said it is “devastated” by the demolition of the historic Queen of the East over the weekend.

The building, which was first erected as a merchant’s home in the 18th century, served as a bakery, a laundry and even a brothel before being restored into a home.

The Queen of the East subsequently fell into disrepair and was controversially removed from the list of protected buildings.

Jennifer Gray, of the Bermuda National Trust, who fought against the delisting and proposed demolition of the building, said: “We had been hopeful up until the end that it would be saved.

“We have no doubt that the building could have had a viable future on the edge of Hamilton.

“We also are certain that the building could have been restored and the access problem solved. In fact, planning permission had long since been given for a drive down the east side of the building.

“The Queen of the East was an exceptionally important architectural gem and its being allowed to deteriorate for 30-plus years, then be delisted and finally demolished, represents a chronic failure by successive governments to recognise the importance and inherent value of our Island’s unique built heritage.”

Ms Gray said that while conservation areas and listed buildings increase property value in most jurisdictions, Bermuda does not appear to cherish them in the same way.

“Our built heritage reflects the changing environment, culture and economy of Bermuda over centuries,” she said. “It serves to educate us, both formally and informally, about the Island’s past.

It undoubtedly is one of the major contributors to the island’s attractiveness, and makes our home a better place to live and work, as well as being the basis on which our cultural tourism industry is founded.

“This section of East Broadway will now be even more of a cultural wasteland with one of the few redeeming features left being Lane House which was preserved by the company of the late Anthony F Smith and should have been an example of what imagination and care can achieve.”

According to planning applications, the Queen of the East is set to be replaced by a six-storey residential complex with 12 units, a private gym, a “dockside Zen garden”, ground-level parking and walk-on boat moorings among other amenities.