ONE MONTH ON: THE GROUND FLOOR

One month into the renovation and the building has been stripped of the elements from it's former use as an office. Secondary glazing has been removed and the original Georgian window shutters revealed.  Window shutters were carefully prized open, taken apart, sanded and filled by friend and expert carpenter, Martin Ramm.  

Some of the shutters were missing, Martin has made new shutters that exactly match the originals in terms of their size and dimensions and materials.  Martin will be responsible for most of the carpentry on the top-three floors and laying reclaimed floorboards.  A kitchen and new staircase to the basement will be made by local  joinery firm, Inglis Hall. Inglis Hall made our previous kitchen and staircase at 142 South Street, Lewes. 

Carpet and underlay has been removed revealing a wooden floor that is badly damaged.  The floorboards are not the original Georgian floorboards but a later floor, probably laid in the early 20th Century.  

The wooden floor and a replica fireplace will be removed and original Georgian wide floor boards and a 18th Century fireplace will be sourced.   

Doors have been removed for refurbishment and rehanging.     

In the hallway the fire doors and partition leading to the staircase to the basement have been removed.  The full sweep of the staircase is now visible.  A new staircase connecting to the basement will be built at the rear of the building.

At the rear of the ground floor, in what was previously the toilet block, partitions and plumbing have been removed.  The  space that is now revealed will contain a new staircase to the basement.  The majority of the floor will be demolished to create a dramatic double-height dining space rising from the basement.  The lift that serviced the four floors of the building has been removed by Bill and his team of specialists at Lift Out.  Only the lift shaft remains.  The lift shaft will be removed once planning consent has been granted.