In May 2010, a devastating fire in the historic Dartmouth town centre affected the Dartmouth Butterwalk, comprising eight shops and 15 flats. The practice was appointed as Heritage Consultants to provide advice on the historic building strategy, negotiate with relevant authorities, and specify conservation elements for 5 Higher Street, the most historically significant of the affected buildings and Grade II* listed.
Unfortunately, the entire roof and the rear half of the building across five floors were lost. The ornate plaster ceiling on the first floor, a fine example of the Dart Valley workshop, was largely destroyed, but salvageable elements were repaired and copied. Following extensive rebuilding, the shop, along with holiday accommodation above, successfully reopened.
In response to the 2010 fire at 5 Higher Street, which caused significant damage to the Grade II* listed building, meticulous reconstruction efforts were undertaken. This bespoke project required the use of materials and construction techniques closely matching or equivalent to the originals to maintain the building’s integrity.
Our team, comprised of professional craftsmen skilled in specialist materials and techniques such as leadwork, joinery, and stone masonry, achieved an excellent standard of restoration on this project. The challenges associated with conserving and restoring buildings were met with enthusiasm, showcasing our commitment to preserving historical structures.
