Buxton Crescent renovation moves to next phase

The enabling works are part of a programme to restore the Georgian building and adjoining Natural Baths to their original architectural status. The buildings have lain empty for numerous years during which time many features have been left to ruin.

The demolition work involves working around an array of structural challenges including extensive wood rot, which is raising varied technical issues onsite. The structures of the Grade I listed Crescent Building and adjoining Grade II listed Natural Baths have had to be temporarily supported throughout the transformation to provide total stability. Working alongside main contractor Vinci Construction’s site based design team, Complete Demolition is having to provide a reactive response to the challenges as they arise.

The external demolition works include the dismantling of the concrete roof and walls of the Natural Baths. An extensive internal temporary propping system had to be installed to retain the adjacent, occupied, Old Hall Hotel during the dismantling process. A variety of demolition techniques are being adopted to complete the works, which included remote controlled demolition, hand demolition, diamond saw cutting and specialist hand held pulverisers.

External repairs and extensive work to the decorative internal plaster work and marble cladding have been undertaken by contractors Manchester and Cheshire Construction Company.

The restoration and conversion works to restore the famous Georgian Crescent to full use as a thermal spa and 5-star hotel and heritage centre started in February 2016 and is scheduled to be complete in 2018. The plan is for a new 80 hotel and spa to occupy the majority of the Crescent, alongside the Assembly Rooms and a thermal natural mineral water spa in the Natural Baths. The project will also feature six shops in the front ground floor and a visitor centre

The £50m project is being funded by a £23.8m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, alongside funding from High Peak Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Historic England, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and developer Buxton Crescent Hotel and Thermal Spa Co Ltd.

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk