Originally built in 1924 as a home for injured servicemen, a sensitive redevelopment project incorporating products from British Gypsum has brought a new era of luxury to the Star and Garter – one of the most opulent and well-known buildings in the picturesque area of Richmond, Surrey.
Developer London Square has worked closely with the heritage department at Richmond Council to restore the landmark Grade II listed building to its former glory, transforming it into a series of luxury residences. With a strong focus on quality and workmanship, these prestigious homes have been meticulously crafted to the highest possible standards – with subcontractor PM White Drylining demonstrating an exceptional standard of craftsmanship throughout.
The main objective was to sensitively restore the building using the best products and finishes available, while taking utmost care to preserve its heritage. It was therefore decided that durable internal partitioning was a more appropriate solution than blockwork and wet plaster when it came to constructing the individual residences within the building’s external shell.
However, working within such an historic listed building brought its own set of challenges. For example, ornate plaster ceiling details had to be painstakingly restored, requiring true craftsmanship from the plastering team. This included the careful hand-application of gold leaf, as stipulated by the heritage officers at Richmond Council’s planning department.
What’s more, throughout the internal refurbishment process, many unexpected structural elements were uncovered – including numerous steel beams. As these were not on the original architectural drawings, PM White Drylining had to develop new treatments on an ad-hoc basis, requiring real flexibility and technical skill.
The complex details and features designed into each apartment required the most skilled and experienced dry lining operatives. The extent of their skill, expertise and craftsmanship is reflected in the exceptional finish throughout this project.
