Sympathetic Restoration of a Grade II Listed Victorian Property

We recently had the pleasure of designing and manufacturing a custom staircase and balcony for a Grade II listed Victorian townhouse in London. The project involved creating an access route from the first floor down to the garden while staying true to the original character of this stunning 19^th century property.

The homeowner, in collaboration with Ben Pentreath Ltd architects, aimed to restore the townhouse’s historical charm by removing modern additions and highlighting its heritage features. To achieve this, they needed a staircase and balcony that honoured the building’s history, and the architect recommended us for this reason.

Design and Planning

The architect’s design included custom treads, balusters, and balcony base plates, all carefully tailored to reflect the Victorian style. Once we received the designs, we developed detailed CAD models, an essential step for listed buildings where precision is key. CAD enabled easy adjustments, helping ensure every detail fit the vision and the home’s historical context before the manufacturing stage began.

Peter Deane, the project’s lead architect, shared:

‘The main challenge we encountered was ensuring our design intent became a reality. We wanted to achieve a structure that was as authentic as possible to the period of this Regency crescent, within the limitations and practicalities of the manufacturing process. Detailing that was firmly based on traditional, historic examples was key here to achieving a harmonious design that worked within the home.’

The Victorian hexagonal patterns and curved cross shapes used in the design were common at the time and were featured throughout the staircase and balcony to create a consistent, authentic look. Once finalised, each part was cast in our foundry and finished with a classic black powder coat, ready for on-site assembly.

Structure and Materials

The balcony itself wraps around the bay window on the first floor, extending 4.5 metres across, with a staircase providing direct access to the garden below. Designed with four treads descending to an intermediate landing, the staircase also includes a smooth handrail on either side, adding safety without compromising the style.

The homeowner initially considered an iron structure, typical of the Victorian era. However, we recommended cast aluminium, which offers a similar aesthetic but with significant benefits. Cast aluminium is three times lighter than iron, easier to maintain, and highly resistant to corrosion, making it a practical alternative for an outdoor structure. The homeowner appreciated the advantages of aluminium for this project, and the final result maintained both the period look whilst providing modern durability.

A Collaborative Process

Reflecting on the collaboration, Peter Deane added:

‘British Spirals & Castings were very willing to work closely with us to achieve a final product that was as close to our original designs as possible. With such a collaborative process, issues were resolved quickly and efficiently. We would be very happy to use BS&C again on other projects, as they’re now familiar with how we work, and we know what they’re able to produce.’

The finished staircase and balcony seamlessly fulfil the functional requirements of the space while also honouring the townhouse’s rich Victorian heritage. This project reflects a commitment to quality craftsmanship and a focus on creating pieces that enhance the character of historical properties.