Introduction / Brief
The client came to us having bought the former Corner House Electrical store building looking to renovate so he could relocate his jewellery shop into it.
Site / Context
The existing building was listed and while a little dog eared around the edges it had been reasonably well looked after. The upper floors were not in use for anything other than storage and signs of a fire over 30 years previously could still be seen. We put together a scheme to renovate the building creating the jewellery shop on the ground floor with workshops behind. The first and second floor were converted to provide office space.
Materials and Design
Being a grade 2* listed building all works were carried out using appropriate materials. The exterior of the building was repaired and the first floor render repaired. At ground floor a new shop front was created including replacing all the shop windows with large secure windows, the glass in each being over 30mm thick and capable of withstanding a prolonged 30 minute attack with an axe.
Sustainability
The building is in a central prominent location and a critical part of the Ashbourne conservation area. The previous use as the Corner House was a much loved feature of the streetscape its re-use as the new Avanti Jewellery store will we hope also be similarly received.
