Historic Building Specialists Preserving Heritage with Unrivalled Craftsmanship

MISSION 1: SAVE THE FEATURE CEILING & REMAINING STRUCTURE

STATUS: CRITICAL

A 200-year-old Grade II listed building had fallen into catastrophic disrepair. Over 200 tonnes of masonry had collapsed, exposing that the structure was riddled with dry rot and it was held together only by extensive scaffolding and temporary supports. Structural engineers warned that lifting the entire roof and ornate period ceiling by 3 inches (7.5 cm) was impossible without hydraulics and risked total collapse. Foxton Group successfully executed the complex lift, structural underpinning and sympathetic restoration, meticulously preserving every historic feature with precision onsite joinery and unrivalled craftsmanship.

MISSION 2: RELOCATE, RESTORE AND ADAPT THE FEATURE STAIRCASE TO THE NEW LAYOUT

STATUS: HIGH

The former grand entrance staircase had to be carefully dismantled from its original location to accommodate the new luxury apartment layout. Foxton Group fully restored every element, modified the staircase to suit the revised first-floor height, and created a bespoke apron and fretwork extension together with a new matching handrail. A new cupboard door was also fabricated with authentic period mouldings perfectly suited to its new position, ensuring the historic staircase remains a centrepiece of the sympathetic conversion.

MISSION 3: ERADICATE SEVERE DRY ROT AND STABILISE THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE

STATUS: CRITICAL

Dry rot had become a devastating problem, extensively compromising the structural timber, floors and joinery throughout the severely neglected former hotel. This aggressive fungal decay can rapidly destroy historic fabric and had spread widely after decades of disrepair. Drawing on our substantial experience in dry rot eradication and the safe remediation of similar structural issues such as asbestos, Foxton Group carried out a thorough survey, complete eradication programme, targeted timber replacement and long-term preventative treatment while preserving as much original material as possible. (Full details available in our client remediation report below.)

📄 See our full dry rot remediation plan here

MISSION 4: FULLY RESTORE THE ORIGINAL FRONT DOOR TO ICONIC SPECIFICATION

STATUS: HIGH

Decades of neglect had left the original front door of the 200-year-old Grade II listed building badly deteriorated, weathered, and no longer fit for purpose. As part of the sympathetic conversion, Foxton Group meticulously restored the door to its former glory while ensuring it met modern performance standards.

MISSION 5: RESTORE THE ORIGINAL FRONT PORTICO TO ITS FORMER GLORY

STATUS: HIGH

The original grand portico had suffered significant decay from decades of exposure to the prevailing wind and sea air. Critical framework and detailed mouldings had rotted away. Foxton Group sensitively restored all surviving historic elements, replaced the rotten timber framework, and meticulously recreated the intricate mouldings on the posts to exactly match the original design seen in historic photographs, reinstating the building’s classical entrance with authenticity and precision.

MISSION 6: FABRICATE AND INSTALL AN EXACT REPLICA PORTICO FOR THE NEW ENTRANCE

STATUS: HIGH

To serve the new ground-floor luxury apartment entrance on the opposite side of the plot, an exact replica of the original portico was required. Every component, including the posts, was fabricated and machined onsite by our expert joiners using a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques, including epoxy lamination for superior stability and longevity. The result is a flawless architectural match that maintains the building’s historic character across the entire façade.

MISSION 7: CREATE A PERIOD-SYMPATHETIC VERANDA TO UNIFY THE BUILDING

STATUS: HIGH

Working to the architect’s vision, a new veranda was designed and constructed as a sensitive addition that respects the original aesthetic of the Georgian era. Carefully detailed to reflect the proportions, materials and architectural language of the period, the veranda successfully brings the restored historic elements together with the new luxury apartment layout, enhancing the building’s elegant presence while remaining true to its heritage.

MISSION 8: RESTORE AND REPLICATE ALL FINE PERIOD DETAILS

STATUS: COMPLETE

The success of the entire project rested on the detailed restoration of the finer architectural details that define the building’s historic character. Inset rendered pillars, continuous soffit and under-mouldings, restored arches, shutters and windows were all carefully refurbished or faithfully recreated. These sympathetic interventions ensure the Grade II listed building remains authentic to its original design while delivering a flawless, cohesive finish throughout the sympathetic conversion to premium residential use.