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• Client: Duke of Folkstone
• Architect: Sidell Gibson
• Contractor: Skanska
• Stones Used: Portland Stone, Bathstone and Pedras Salgadas granite
• Value: £800,000
• Completed: August 2008
• Contract Duration: 28 weeks
• Project Type: Refurbishment and external new build
• Scope of Work: Stonework dismantlement & storage, external cleaning & restoration and external stone cladding

To preserve the character of this 1920s building situated at the junction between Chancery Lane and High Holborn, the City of London planners insisted the original façade was retained. Putney & Wood was employed by main contractor Skanska to restore the original stonework on the retained facades while the structure behind was demolished and rebuilt.

Putney & Wood’s contract included surveying, dismantling and storing the original stonework. Individual stones were evaluated and, where practical, cleaned and re-worked at Putney & Wood’s factory, ready to be carefully re-fixed on the newly restored façade by Putney & Wood’s team of masonry craftsman. In addition to the façade restoration, Putney & Wood designed, procured and installed new Portland Stone and Bathstone cladding for the new retail units at ground floor level. They also renewed the stucco on the Chancery Lane and High Holborn elevations.

Steve Holbrook of Skanska said “The stonework package was an important part of a sensitive project so it was imperative to have the right contractor. Putney & Wood were thorough and professional, which was exactly what we needed for this job. They had an experienced team on the job with a ‘can do’ attitude, I’d have no problem working with them again”.

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