The Roman Painted House in Dover, built in 200AD, is set to reopen this summer after a period of repairs.
The trust that managed the site handed it back to Dover District Council in October.
The Kent authority has now set out its plans for the historic house, which include spending £235,000 on works and procuring a regeneration consultancy to help create a business plan and apply for grants.
The council hopes the painted house, along with the Roman Bath House and Roman Lawn, will become a ‘leading heritage-based visitor attraction’ in the centre of Dover.
It was discovered in 1970 and then excavated by archaeologists, who uncovered ‘unique’ painted plaster walls (frescoes) and ‘elaborate’ under floor heating (hypocaust).
Until October, the painted house will be free to visit on weekends.