Sash and casement windows are typically features of older, period properties, specifically Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings. The vast majority of our work is carried out on listed buildings from these eras. Listed buildings are those which are deemed worthy of protection for their historical or cultural importance and they don’t come much bigger, or grander, than Buxton Crescent…
A precious example of Georgian architecture
This magnificent piece of Georgian architecture was designed by John Carr of York and built between 1779 and 1789. Funded by the Fifth Duke of Devonshire as the centrepiece for his scheme to create a spa in the north of England, the iconic Grade I listed building has since fallen into disrepair.
The long-running project to bring the building back into public use for the first time since 1992 will see it transformed into a five-star thermal spa and hotel. The ambitious 79-bedroom hotel and spa will feature three swimming pools inside the building, with one on the roof, and six boutique shops. The pools will incorporate the neighbouring natural baths and use Buxton’s best-known resource to heat the state-of-the-art thermal, natural mineral water spa. There will also be an interactive visitor centre, tearoom and heritage experience in the Grade II listed Pump Room as well as public access to the Assembly Rooms.
The multi-million pound restoration project is being funded by High Peak Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and developer Buxton Crescent Hotel and Thermal Spa Co Ltd. The project developers are Osbourne Property Group and the main contractors Vinci.
yoursashwindows.com appointed to replace sash windows at Buxton Crescent
We have been appointed by Vinci to replace ALL of the windows on the Buxton Crescent site. The windows are all exclusively sash or dorma, in-keeping with Georgian architectural styles, but vary in size and scale. In the process we are making the new units with double glazed glass for virtual draught elimination and reduced external noise.
The main crescent structure alone comprises approximately 320 windows! There are three storeys to the front and four to the rear. The front has a symmetrical 29 window semi-circular range, and spans three floors. The facades at each end have five windows a-piece covering the first and second floors and set back ground floor facades have four round headed sashes each. All the windows are plain and glazing bar sashes.
To the left there is a 5-window range spanning the three storeys with a blocked entrance at bay 1. On the right hand-side of the building there is a 7-window range, with 7 round headed sashes on the first floor and 7 blank panels above. The facades to the rear have a 2-window range on the left and 3-window range to the right.
At the rear (four storeys) the ground floor has tall round headed windows which are currently mostly blocked. The first and second floors have boarded glazing bar sashes and third floor has smaller glazing bar sashes. On the roof there are 39 dorma windows.
New sash windows, glazing bars and dorma windows
We have created some stunning floor to ceiling sash windows measuring 1220mm x 2100mm! Other pieces produced for the project include dorma windows measuring 2500mm x 1000mm and a large Georgian arch top that is 2600mm x 1200mm. Altogether, we are hand-making in excess of 500 bespoke window units for the entire site.
The project has been on-going for many years and yoursashwindows.com’s involvement began in 2015. Due to the sheer size of the site and scale of the restoration project, it’s hard to predict when the project will be complete. We anticipate being on site for another 18 months to two years at least!
Buxton Crescent is by far the largest project yoursashwindows.com has ever attempted. yoursashwindows.com senior project manager Mike Brady is leading the scheme. He said, “It’s a fantastic project to be working on and I’m very excited to see the building converted. All of the team working on site are looking forward to returning the 200 year old windows back to their former glory but with the addition of draught-proofing to keep the hotel’s future guests warm. It’s a real privilege to be PM on this prestigious project.“
If you would like to discuss a commercial restoration project with us, we’d be delighted to provide you with a free survey and quote. Please call our sash window specialists on 0333 6000 196.
Buxton’s Crescent: a timeline and history – http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/buxton-s-crescent-a-timeline-and-history-1-6966496