Client: U.K. Land & Property – Winstanleys Construction
Location: Horton House – Liverpool
May 2008
For the past Two years Resitech’s teams have been busy working on the Artstone blockwork at Exchange Flags Liverpool.
Exchange building itself is steeped in history. Grade two listed and standing on the edge of the World Heritage site. Magnificent views include both of Liverpool’s famous cathedrals, the River Mersey, the Liver Buildings and Town Hall.
Exchange Flags is set in the historic business quarter, right in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre.
In the centre of the flagged square lies the spectacular bronze monument dedicated to Admiral Nelson. It is also home to the Western Approaches War Museum, which was once the top secret headquarters from where the Battle of the Atlantic was fought and won.
The Architecturally unique art stone facade which encompasses Horton House had suffered over its lifetime from progressive deterioration due to aggressive atmospheric pollutants. The elevations facing Tithebarn Street, Chapel Street and Exchange Street East where looking particularly tired and in need of a little TLC.
Due to its Grade 2 listing a sympathetic approach to the buildings fabric was a fundamental requirement to the repair strategy.
The contract has involved the use of resin injection techniques, along with discreet stonework repairs to the original blockwork and also the “art deco” features to the external faces of the project. As a final part of the works, the building is being cleaned and a protective coating applied to further enhance the building fabrics long term durability.
The images above and below show the elevations at the corner of Exchange and Chapel Street before and after the cleaning works commenced. These particular elevations were the worst affected by pollutants due to the heavy volume of traffic using these thoroughfares on a daily basis.
Using carefully selected cleaning agents, Resitech were able to provide an excellent cleaning solution, sympathetic to the buildings grade 2 listed Status. The building has also benefited from the application of a totally transparent protective waterproof coating, again selected with the building facades listed status in mind.
Resitech are proud to have taken part in the restoration to the external facade of this landmark building, completed both on time and within the clients budget.
