New life in old buildings

Szerelmey Restoration, principal contractor and specialist subcontractor, has a wealth of experience in all forms of restoration, refurbishment, cleaning and remodelling.

Szerelmey Restoration has been in business for a long time, tracing its roots back to 1855 to a quirky individual called Nicholas Szerelmey. Not only was he passionate about restoration but he was also an inventor … of paper coffins and resin board! Today the Restoration company is led by the less-quirky Mark Chivers who has been in the industry for over 40 years, aided by his team of seasoned restorers; working alongside the highly experienced team are a number of apprentices. The company actively supports and encourages apprenticeships placing great emphasis on preserving traditional, heritage skills.

Services – a personal touch

Szerelmey values relationships with clients, contractors and the supply chain. Whilst large enough to carry out multi-million pound projects, Szerelmey Restoration remains at a size where Managing Director Mark Chivers, Contracts Director Paul Morris, and the senior management team are all actively involved in every project. Clients range from Historic England, the National Trust and English Heritage to large commercial clients and private individuals. The Company has worked extensively on Grade I and II listed buildings, Scheduled Monuments and buildings in a fragile state of repair.

The services offered by the company are extensive, and generally begin with a consultation where specialists offer technical advice, specification development, material advice and offer cost-effective methods for repair and remodelling.

Surveying: full envelope condition surveys can be undertaken to produce detailed reports. As part of the survey, sample cleaning can be carried out.

Façade cleaning and repair: experienced teams carry out full façade cleaning with all repairs and restoration done by skilled craftsmen. The teams can work from traditional scaffolding, cradles or abseil.

Interior cleaning and repair: full interior cleaning can be carried out on buildings that remain in full public or private use. In addition the teams can mobilise quickly for emergency cleaning works.

Retained facades: the team has extensive experience in working with retained façades as well as dismantling facades and full façade reinstatement incorporating façade “stretching” if required, to create new storeys.

Remodelling and structural repairs: Structural repairs, making new openings, modifications, staircases, ramps, mezzanine levels and full change of use of building are all services offered.

Repair, replacement and refurbishment:experienced craftsmen and stonemasons carry out repairs and replacement to natural stone, terracotta, stucco render, faience, brickwork, concrete, terrazzo and hard landscaping.

Roof work and leadwork: the team works extensively on roofs, structural repairs and modifications, slate and tile works, chimney repairs and all forms of leadwork.

Stonemasonry: Szerelmey Restoration has a number of trained masons who are experienced in stonemasonry, carving, in situ repairs, replacement and fixing.

Szerelmey Restoration has been in business for a long time, tracing its roots back to 1855

Carpentry and joinery: full repairs, restoration and replacement of historic and modern elements such as doors, windows, stairs, panelling, ceiling, floors and structural wood pieces are carried out.

Metal work: the team undertakes specialist metalwork repairs, and restoration and rebuilding of historic wrought and cast ironwork.

Render: Szerelmey Restoration has a team of plasterers experienced in lime plaster, decorative plaster finishes, lime washes and lime renders, and modern plastering and rendering.

Terracotta and faience: Szerelmey Restoration specialises in the repair and replacement of faience and terracotta.

Decorative painting: the skilled team carries out decorative painting, gilding and general painting and decorating.

Project focus – Langley Park, Grade II* listed

Gibberd Architects have led the conversion of this Palladian mansion into a 5* hotel, with works ongoing. Szerelmey’s work has extended from the main mansion house to the Stable Block and Winter Garden. All the stonework on the house was cleaned and in situ repairs, indenting and full repointing carried out. All elevations were re-rendered and new front steps are being installed. The Winter Garden was cleaned internally and externally, stone indenting and in situ repairs carried out and some of the exterior rendered. The brickwork on the Stable Block was cleaned and repointed, isolated bricks replaced and sections of defective walls replaced.

Project focus – 70-72 Jermyn Street, Grade II listed

Acting as Principal Contractor, Szerelmey Restoration carried out extensive repair, restoration and refurbishment work to this property while it remained in full public use. Works included structural roof repairs, leadwork, slate tile replacement, chimney stack repair, repointing, cleaning and restoration of two facades, Portland stone in situ repairs, redecoration of all painted areas and restoration of the metal fire escapes.

Project focus – 5-7 & 15-17 St Helen’s Place, Grade II listed

These two projects are located opposite each other and both incorporated extensive work to historic retained facades. Prior to the restoration works commencing the floor slabs were secured to the retained façades which enabled the façade retention system to be removed, and the working scaffold to be erected. The facades and steelwork were cleaned before being restored with multiple in situ and stone indent repairs and treatment applied to the steelwork. Historic paving setts were removed with works ongoing, and reinstated to the original pattern.

Project focus – 11-15 Grosvenor Crescent, Grade II listed

This ongoing project involves the transformation of five historic properties into high-end apartments. Szerelmey Restoration cleaned the facades before conducting comprehensive surveys. The stonework on 15 dormer windows was removed, repaired and reinstated and new Portland stone chimney caps and pots installed to the six prominent stacks. Extensive in situ repairs and indents to the stonework were made including the replacement of a number of lion head carvings. Works extended to all the metal balustrades internally and externally, which were blasted, repaired and repainted, and all cast iron down pipes and lead coverings to the cornices were replaced. New natural stone steps will be installed to all five properties and extensive hard landscaping to the basement areas.