George Street and Gloucester Street: Restoring Oxford’s Heritage

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Client: Oxford City Council

Budget: £750,000

Department: Construction

Completed: November 2023

Summary

ODS completed an external refurbishment on the corner of George Street, Oxford, on behalf of Oxford City Council. The building, encompassing 24-26 George Street and 2-4 Gloucester Street, was previously used by Jamie’s Italian until 2019 and partly occupied by a separate hotel restaurant business. The building is a three storey late Victorian terrace in red brick and pitched slate-tiled roof. Historic maps indicate that it was built in the late 19th century.

This was a significant heritage refurbishment project with work carried out to the roof, windows, leadwork, and internally.

Requirements

The main pitched roof and rear flat roofs were stripped and replaced. All the chimneys were repointed, damaged bricks, chimney pots and dowels were replaced.

All the windows underwent a full overhaul, damaged and delaminated bricks and stone were removed and repaired.

Works were undertaken to the full length of the elevations and existing lead work flashing and all damaged timber was replaced. The existing rainwater system was repaired and restored to the original arrangement.

Challenges

Working in central Oxford meant a constant high footfall and traffic requiring daily planning and safety measures. Of particular issue was the articulated lorries that needed constant access of Gloucester Street to deliver kit to the New Theatre, located on George Street.
There was no electrical power in the building.
Part of the building is used as a hotel so work could not be carried out whilst guests were staying in particular rooms.
As the project progressed, it became evident that there was more work required than had been initially scoped.

Solutions

ODS put in place comprehensive health and safety procedures, including clear signage, barriers, and protective netting. Careful planning and daily briefings ensured smooth execution of works in a challenging live environment.

The team worked with the New Theatre to ensure the delivery drivers had access to Gloucester Street as required, and a new scaffolding structure was erected to ensure the lorries had enough space to manoeuvre. The team also worked with the hotel management to plan works around when certain hotel rooms were vacant.

The New Theatre supplied electricity via a generator to enable the works to be caried out.

The pitched roof was reinstated following removal of the slate covering and replacement of damaged rafters, purlins and hip beams. Fascias and soffits were renewed to suit the increased roof height from new insulation. A steel beam and wall plate were added to restrain outward movement caused by rotten rafter feet and slipped wall plate. New insulation, reclaimed Spanish slates, battens, a ventilated dry ridge system and detailed leadwork were installed. Flat roofs were stripped and replaced.

Chimneys were repointed with hydraulic lime mortar, damaged bricks replaced with reclaimed stock, and defective chimney pots and cowls renewed with handmade clay to match existing.

The rainwater system was rebuilt to its original design with new guttering and downpipes based on disposal calculations, maintaining Oxford’s historic system.

Brick and stone repairs included replacing damaged units and rebuilding poor historic openings, using reclaimed bricks and local stone.

Sash windows were overhauled with decayed timber spliced, damaged panes replaced with restoration glass, and sash cords and ironmongery renewed.

Internal plasterwork repairs replaced damaged lath and plaster with new lime plaster. Lead flashings were replaced to Lead Association standards, all defective timbers renewed, and wood, metalwork and render fully redecorated

Results

A beautifully restored heritage building in central Oxford that reflects ODS’s ability to deliver complex projects in sensitive environments. The client, Oxford City Council, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

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