The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word GATEHOUSE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
G
A
T
E
H
O
U
S
E
More clues leading to the result GATEHOUSE
- Huge seat falling apart outside old lodge
- Gun – what is found by river in estate building
- He got a different purpose for lodge
- Lodge attendance is given with mystical sign
- Had dinner in good hotel on river providing accommodation
- The raging river next to state lodge
- Supped in good hotel by river lodge
- Lodge with crowd approaching hotel with banker
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "estate building" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case estate building = gatehouse.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does GATEHOUSE mean?
GATEHOUSE noun- A lodge besides the entrance to an estate; often the residence of a gatekeeper; also a dwelling formerly used as such a residence.
- A fortified room over the entrance to a castle or over the gate in a city wall
- A shelter for a gatekeeper.