PROJECT TEAM
  • Client: Confidential
  • Architect: Belgravia Architects Ltd
  • Services Engineer: TPS
  • Structural Engineer: MNP
  • QS: Thompson Cole
LOCATION MAP
KEY PEOPLE

David Benson

Project Manager

Ken Crouch

Site Manager

KEY FACTS
300
Year Old Grade II Listed Property
500
Tonnes of Material removed from basement
1
40ft Rare Indian Bean tree replaced

It is not every day you get to manage a project as delicate, complex and historically significant as the refurbishment of 39 Brook Street in Mayfair. The building’s location, the nature of the work, the historical significance of the building itself and the close proximity of other important stakeholders, all made this a challenging but rewarding project.

Ken CrouchSite Manager at Gaysha

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CLIENT

Confidential

TYPE

Grade II Listed Building Refurbishment

LOCATION

Mayfair

VALUE

£1.5 Million

Introduction

39 Brook Street, a three storey house in Mayfair dating from 1720, was home to interior design firm Colefax & Fowler for more than 70 years. It has been described as having “perhaps the best known and most influential interior in the history of English interior decoration”.

This renovation project, involved the creation of a completely new layout inside and the installation of a lift, whilst retaining the historical character of this well known building. The network of tunnels in the basement was removed using a system of conveyor belts and 500 tonnes of material was removed.

SLIDE ORANGE BAR TO VIEW IN PROGRESS & COMPLETED PHOTOS OF THE COURTYARD

Project breakdown

  • Complete strip out from basement level up to 3rd floor
  • New roof coverings including new lead work to roof dome
  • Excavation of 500 Tonnes from basement
  • Tanking of basement area
  • Creation of new layout throughout including lift shaft and structural support
  • Full mechanical and electrical installation
  • Removal and replacement of a rare 40ft Indian bean tree with tree preservation order from Westminster Council
  • Removing and relaying the rear courtyard to new levels with York Stone slabs

The Challenges

The site’s location on a busy, affluent, central London street made access a challenge. The 300-year-old building also needed a large amount of structural work, while the underground River Fleet, was found to be flowing very near so we had to closely monitor for any movement.

The most challenging aspect centred around the basement excavation. To level the warren of basement tunnels, we needed to remove 500 tonnes of material without  disturbing the neighbours or dropping material on the pavements, while remaining sympathetic to the protected building interiors.

We achieved this by using eight heavy duty conveyor belts running through the building, out of a first-floor window, over the pavement and into the back of a truck. Through careful management, accurately planned truck changeovers and a strong team working tirelessly by hand in the basement, the whole process went very smoothly.

The End Result

Gaysha completed the interior renovation & external redecoration then handed over to the new tenant for interior fit out, having helped bring this famous and extremely desirable retail location up to modern standards. We are proud of our contribution to this project and were delighted to see the end results when Browns Fashion opened  the doors of their new home at 39 Brook Street in April 2021.

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Gaysha is a London-based fit out & refurbishment contractor, specialising in sustainable refurbishments of listed and historic buildings, and operating across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

Gaysha Ltd, Work.Life, 4 Crown Place, London EC2A 4BT

Tel: 0203 887 3623   Email: info@gaysha.co.uk  Web: www.gaysha.co.uk