From the organisers of the Natural Stone Show

 

 

 
Stone Heritage

Heritage : Facelift for Cardiff’s oldest department store
, By Eric Bignell

Hanson Bath & Portland Stone (B&PS), who supply Bath, Cotswold and Portland limestones, are supplying worked stone for projects that are part of the multi-million redevelopment of Cardiff.

One of the projects is the restoration of the historic Morgan Arcade in The Hayes, where B&PS were specified as the natural stone supplier by BAM Construction.

The famous arcade was part of what was once Cardiff’s largest and most prestigious department store, David Morgan’s, that closed in 2005 after 125 years of trading.

B&PS are also now supplying the stone for a new John Lewis in Cardiff that will be the largest department store in Wales. The contractors there are Szerelmey.

Glenn Hancock, general manager for Hancock Masonry, the stonework contractors for the Morgan Arcade, explains the complexities of the restoration project. “Since the opening of the arcade many of the original features and detailed stone elements had been removed and replaced with concrete and other lesser materials. It was integral to both the refurbishment and rejuvenation of the arcade that we replaced these features and returned the building to its former glory.

“I have worked with Hanson for many years and the quality of their products and overall service is unrivalled.

“When you’re working on a project like this it’s not only important that we are precise in our replication of the original details and features but that we also use the best and most accurate materials available.” Using historic photography and surveys of remaining masonry, B&PS incorporated the historical designs into their new stone features and provided a specification for recommended materials.

Finished masonry in Portland Perryfield, Hartham Park Bath stone and Guiting from the Cotswolds was used in the restoration of the retail and residential development, creating an authentic and sympathetic exterior as well as imposing internal features.

Bath & Portland Stone are one of the oldest suppliers of natural limestone and masonry products in the UK. They provide a range of block stone and finished masonry and have been involved in the construction of some of the most prestigious buildings in Britain and overseas. They are part of Hanson, which is in turn part of the multi-billion pound, international HeidelbergCement Group.