Signa Turn Key was contracted to undertake the restoration of the Hallmark Carlton Hotel in Bournemouth. After a full survey of the entire building had been completed, Signia worked with the owners of the hotel to develop a four month plan to restore this landmark Edwardian building. The client’s brief was to restore the integrity of the whole roof area and external elevations.
After enveloping the entire building in a scaffold system allowing for access to all areas of the roof and elevations Signia and its team started the four month long restoration works to the eroded pointing and bricks, wind damaged windows, dislodged slates and lead work. In some cases entire roofing areas were stripped back bare re-felted and tiled. All terrace areas were completely stripped and made watertight using the latest weather proofing systems from Germany. Some 3,500 stainless steel wall ties were inserted into the brick walls along with the replacement of sections of brickwork using 1,750 specially selected bricks and, in some areas, stainless steel stitch was also required. In all, 90% of the building’s existing pointing was raked out and re-pointed leaving the walls sealed and looking crisp and clean.
Along with the restoration of the fabric of the building, guttering and downpipes were either restored or replaced, window glass was replaced and all previously painted windows were prepared and re-painted with any rotten sections of wood stripped back and made good with long-lasting two pack fillers. Existing external fire escapes and balconies to the building were inspected by structural engineers and were either repaired or, in most cases, completely replaced with new galvanised, powder coated stair structures.
We are delighted to be working with Hallmark Hotels on this project. It’s an extensive overhaul that needs to be handled with sensitivity to both this historic building and the hotel’s patrons.
Peter Cutts, Director, Signia Turn Key
The scaffolding has recently been removed for the summer to unveil a fully restored, clean crisp and weather tight building. Next time you are in Bournemouth have a look at this fantastic building and enjoy the views and beaches.
