Manchester Town Hall Restoration Reveals Hidden Gems

Manchester’s historic Town Hall is currently undergoing a £300m restoration project, which is due to be completed by 2024. The thorough overhaul of the iconic Victorian gothic building in Albert Square is described by Sky News as ‘the biggest heritage project currently happening in the country.’

Originally constructed in 1877, the lavishly decorated building has been closed since 2018, as a parade of stonemasons, engineers, and conservation experts go over every inch of the exterior and interior. No such ambitious restoration of the Town Hall has been undertaken before, and there were fears that the much-loved building would sink into decline.

Crispin Edwards, a listings advisor from Historic England, emphasised the importance of the work. He said: "This is Manchester's crown jewel, it's a real icon of the city. But as well as that it is nationally and internationally important."

He added: "It's one of the best Victorian gothic buildings anywhere. It's part of the best civic complex outside of London, it's in the highest grade of listing and on par with buildings like the Houses of Parliament, the quality is the same."

The Manchester Evening News reports that the restoration has thrown up some secrets and surprises. For example, the ornate ceiling frescos in the Great Hall have air gun pellets embedded in their paintwork, which no one can quite explain.

Other unexpected finds include a brick arched tunnel below Princess Street, and a cast iron spiral staircase boxed off in the corner of the Lord Mayor’s chambers. More prosaic finds include beer bottles from the 1930s and 40s, a leather shoe, and Players cigarette packets from the 1950s.

Amongst the acres of steel and glass towers that are shooting up all over Manchester city centre, it is uplifting to see such careful effort, funding, and attention to detail being poured into this magnificent historical building.

If you are looking for lath & plaster specialists, please get in touch today.

Legal Race To Save Tudor Era Mantel From Listed Building

Stafford Borough Council is seeking a legal injunction to stop a £5m Tudor artefact from being sold at auction, arguing that doing so breaks the law.

Seighford Hall, a Grade II Listed Building in Stafford, had several Tudor-era fixtures, most notably a large oak overmantel believed to date back to Queen Elizabeth I.

However, auctioneers and seller Andrew Potter deny any wrongdoing, claiming that the piece was found on top of a bonfire, was infested with woodworm and was purchased properly.

However, Stafford Borough Council claims that listed building consent is required to remove the artefact, and claimed that the removal and planned sale breaches the Dealing In Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003.

If found guilty, Mr Potter could potentially receive a seven-year prison sentence, but the auction firm said the removal and sale were legal and they are considering legal action against the council.

A hearing over the injunction will be heard at Birmingham Crown Court to determine whether this is a breach of listed building consent, making the removal and sale a criminal offence.

Seighford Hall was constructed in the late 16th century, and like many buildings of this era was run as a family home until the 20th century, before becoming a nursing home and eventually becoming abandoned.

After lying derelict for over 20 years, the building was purchased by First Blue Group, which published plans for a major listed building restoration to convert the grounds into a luxury hotel and spa property.

However, due to the complexity of the timber frame construction, this restoration work is currently in the pre-planning phase as they survey exactly how much damage the two decades of emptiness has caused.

How London’s Architecture Is Recognised By UNESCO

As a city with 2,000 years of history and a global position as one of the world’s most prominent capitals, London has never been short of culture and heritage.

Nonetheless, there has to be something exceptional about a city that enables it to have no less than four UNESCO World Heritage sites. These are the Palace of Westminster, Kew Gardens, the Tower of London and Maritime Greenwich. The architecture is not the sole reason for this, of course - politics, horticulture and the point where east meets west are all part of it - but it is certainly a major factor.

This might be easily overlooked by residents and visitors alike, who might well - and with justification - see London as being as much a melting pot of different buildings as it is of people. Where else might a building as grand and historic as St Paul’s Cathedral stand close to a skyscraper nicknamed after something usually found sliced up in a burger?

Even so, it is worth reflecting on just how extraordinary this is and how important the preservation of London’s finest buildings is. 

At least one of these treasures requires some significant listed building restoration work. The Palace of Westminster is in the midst of a major restoration project, and at some stage the parliamentarians will have to decamp to another building while a major overhaul of the building’s interior fabric.

Anyone involved in looking after listed and heritage buildings will know the constraints they are working under to avoid altering things much, if at all. For listed buildings that depends on the grading. For UNESCO World Heritage, the stakes are even higher.

Indeed, that was demonstrated recently by the demotion of Liverpool’s Maritime Mercantile City, on the grounds that the character of the historic docklands was being lost due to modern new developments, including a new football stadium.

While London has some quite extraordinary heritage locked up in its bricks, mortar and stone, the Liverpool experience is a reminder that this can never be taken for granted.

Top Design Tips For Your Period Home

The love for period properties has been rekindled in recent years, with many people shunning the ‘boxy’ feel of new build homes for more traditional design. With sweeping staircases and properties filled with character, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular.

If you own a period property, and feel that you’re not making the most of it, or simply want to give it a refresh, we have some tips here to get you started.

Retain and refresh original features

Period properties have unique features such as window coves, feature staircases, or ornate fireplaces, and it is best to retain these features as much as possible to keep the character. You can keep the character of the grand sash and bay windows while adding more modern window treatments that complement the look of the house.

Keep it light

Period homes suit a multitude of colours, but a light colour scheme is a fantastic idea and will help it look sleek. Fresh neutrals and white shades can help make the most of the natural light, allowing the period accents and features to shine through.

Repair or replicate original flooring

Many period properties may have come with statement hardwood flooring or statement tiles, so why not try peeling back the carpet to see what lies beneath, which could be restored to its original glory. If not, invest in traditional style parquetry design or wooden flooring to replicate what would have been there.

Mix modern elements with traditional

When you have a period-style property it can be tempting to stick to the more traditional design elements. However, by mixing with contemporary accessories and furnishings you will create an effortlessly sophisticated and stylish space.

Modern vases, rugs and contemporary art will all look great in a period style property. If you have high ceilings, invest in a modern statement chandelier or lighting feature, it will elevate the space.

If you’re looking for coving specialists in London, talk to us today.

The Dos And Don’ts Of Listed Building Restoration

Restoring a listed building can be fraught with issues and a number of hops through with you will be expected to jump. But with a little preparation and a few calls to the right people, you can help make the process go much smoother and complete your project with minimal delays.

It’s easy to get inspired watching the many TV shows about restoring homes and buildings, but unlike Dick Strawbridge and his Escape to the Chateau series, it’s important to know what to and what not to do when restoring a listed building. Here are five dos and three don’ts to keep in mind.

The Do's of Listed Building Restoration

1. Know your VAT rights. Energy performance improvements within a renovation project will only trigger 5 per cent VAT, so be sure to check before you pay bills, as VAT cannot be reclaimed after.

2. Ensure you have listed building insurance. Seek out a specialist insurance company that deals with listed buildings, who will be able to reinstate you for the right materials to match the house if disaster strikes.

3. Get to know your local conservation officer. They can become a great ally, and will know other listed building owners, who may have encountered similar problems as you, and have solutions.

4. Ensure building consent has been granted before you buy. Any unapproved works carried out by previous owners will become your liability otherwise.

5. Stay organised! Keep all permissions and plans after work is completed, you will need these if you sell your home in the future

The Don'ts of Listed Building Restoration

1. Don’t combine modern with traditional repair methods. Using cement in buildings likely made with Lime Mortar can cause irreparable damage.

2. Don’t remove or alter original architectural features, as they are often integral to the building’s listed status.

3. Don’t rush! Carefully consider any changes you wish to make, and ensure you get advice from professionals and speak to the Conservation office and Historic England. The building will have stood doer many years, so a few months of consideration will be well spent.

If you’re looking for experts in listed building restoration, talk to us today.

London’s Finest Victorian Architecture

As a city dating back to Roman times and now home to nearly nine million people, London has an extraordinarily broad array of architectural styles. From its greatest surviving medieval buildings to the 21st century skyscrapers nicknamed after kitchen accessories and pickles, the metropolitan built environment is nothing if not eclectic.

Even so, there are some styles that just stand out. This includes not just the dominance of Regency and Georgian architecture in central and inner west London, but also many fine Victorian buildings.

This period of London’s history saw rapid growth, with the 19th century as a whole seeing the capital’s population rising from around one million to six million. London also became a better connected city in various ways, from the advent of the London Underground to the creation of an extensive sewerage system, which is only now being supplemented.   

For many visitors, the most notable aspect of this is some of the very famous buildings that emerged in that period.  Buckingham Palace was already a royal residence, but it was Queen Victoria who had it expanded and upgraded into the building we see today.

The monarch also formally opened the Italianate Royal Albert Hall in 1871, as well as laying the foundation stone for the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1899.

To these may be added many more great Victorian buildings across London:  The Pavilion at the Oval cricket ground, the adjacent railway stations at Kings Cross and St Pancras, the Natural History Museum and Tower Bridge, to name just some.

Yet amid all these were vast numbers of Victorian homes, built to house that booming 19th century population. Your own property may be one, featuring the distinctive Victorian coving that signifies the era. If it needs maintenance, our skilled staff are experts in making it good as new.

Of course, not every great London building from the Victorian era survives; the Crystal Palace burned down in 1936 and many homes and major buildings were destroyed or damaged during the Blitz. But with some skilled craftwork, you can make sure the distinctive Victorian features of your home survive for generations to come.

5 Projects to Help You Find a Home Buyer Fast

You’re almost ready to put your home on the market - but you’re worried that selling it will take longer than you’d like. Every seller wants to connect with the right buyer as quickly as possible, yet if your property doesn’t look appealing, it might sit on the market for months on end. To avoid this, you can invest in home improvement projects that will prove attractive for buyers. From restoring and updating plaster features on your property with Ovolo London to decluttering messy rooms, these tips will help you spruce up your home to accelerate your sale timeline!

Smart Sales Strategy

Before you even begin working on home improvement projects, you need to make sure that you’re moving forward with an effective sales strategy. For instance, in order to find the right listing agent, Which? recommends considering their quoted selling fees, whether or not they have sold homes like yours before, and their past selling timelines.

Your listing agent can help you value your home and suggest a competitive price - checking out what other homes in your area sold for will give you a good benchmark. You’ll also want to list your home at the right time. Reader’s Digest suggests putting your property on the market in the spring when homes generally sell relatively fast.

Declutter and Deep Clean

While you could technically list your home and start advertising it without decluttering or deep cleaning each room, it will make a better impression on buyers if your home is clean and tidy when they see it. Before scheduling open houses or private viewings, get rid of items you no longer need and find appropriate storage for items that you want to keep. Then, spend extra time deep cleaning your carpets, kitchen, and bathroom.

Decluttering your home will make it easier to stage every room. Arrange your decor in a way that draws attention to the best features of your home to entice buyers! This is a critical step in the selling process.

Remodel Your Bathroom

Want to start a more ambitious home improvement project? Remodel your bathroom with new fixtures to catch the eyes of buyers! You could consider adding radiant floor heating, a spacious vessel sink, a recessed shower cubby, additional storage space under the sink, and new fan vents.

Update Your Kitchen

Your future buyers will likely spend a lot of time in your home’s kitchen, so you want to make sure that they will be able to enjoy a full range of modern features while cooking and dining! Remodeling your kitchen can be an extensive project, but by selecting a few particular changes, you can keep your budget relatively low while upgrading the room. For instance, you can install energy-efficient appliances, new countertops, or more storage spaces like new shelves or cabinets.

Focus on Curb Appeal

Finally, take a look at your home’s exterior and consider what your buyers will notice. Could it use a fresh coat of paint? Does your landscaping look unkempt? Do you have an outdoor dining space that needs a bit of sprucing up? If so, it’s time to focus on creating more curb appeal for your home! Improving your home’s curb appeal might mean painting the walls or front door, manicuring the lawn, tending to flower beds, or adding new light fixtures.

If you’re concerned that your home won’t sell quickly enough, you can take steps to make it look like a better choice for potential buyers. Focus on home improvement projects that will improve the aesthetic and overall value of your home. By updating certain rooms and your home’s exterior, you’ll receive an offer from a great buyer before you know it!

Do you need to restore plaster fixtures in your home before selling? Ovolo London specializes in restoring decorative plaster moldings! Send a message to learn more about our services.

Photo via Pexels

Croydon’s Overlooked Architecture

When it comes to London architecture, Croydon tends not to get a lot of attention. Fans of Regency architecture will naturally focus their attention on the stucco plaster walls of the mansions and terraces of inner west London, while the capital’s most famous buildings are mostly in the centre.

Indeed, it could be perceived that Croydon has not had a particularly notable building since the Crystal Palace, which burned down in 1936, although of course the football club that played in its grounds and now resides at Selhurst Park is a member of the Premier League.

However, for a town that was not technically part of London until 1965, Croydon does have some remarkable and varied architecture, and among its buildings are many fine homes with plaster features, which is why we provide cornice work in Croydon.

There are nine Grade II* listed buildings in the borough, including the red brick Wrencote Building, Airport House, Addington Palace (the Royal School of Church Music) and five churches. The Croydon War Memorial is also listed.

In addition, there are 166 Grade II listed buildings, with the greatest concentration of these being 39 in the Fairfield Ward.

Other notable older buildings include the Victorian Clock Tower and museum complex, another Victorian red brick structure.

Perhaps not surprisingly for a town that has grown in prominence as London’s outer suburbs have become more populated, the architecture has become more mixed as various 20th century styles have also made their mark.

While that may be true of most suburbs in London, a difference is the prominence of the town centre and its use of high-rise buildings. Just as the city and docklands have seen major surges in skyscraper construction, so Croydon has increasingly built upwards in a way other south London suburbs have not.

Indeed, when the One Landsdown tower is completed, it will be the fourth tallest in Britain at 228 metres (748 metres).

However, for all its eclectic architecture, Croydon remains a place where many can feel proud of their stylish homes. With the right maintenance work, they can go on feeling that way.