Chichester
Complete
Commercial
In the heart of Chichester’s conservation area, The Martin Sewell Building Company is undertaking an extensive renovation of a historic listed commercial property that represents one of the most comprehensive heritage restoration projects in the city. Working in collaboration with Fuller Architects, this meticulous restoration adheres strictly to listed building consent requirements whilst enhancing the building’s structural integrity, energy efficiency, and fire safety for modern commercial use.
The interior transformation has been carefully planned to respect the building’s heritage whilst incorporating essential modern upgrades that will ensure its viability for contemporary commercial purposes. The project began with a complete strip-out and fit-out, with particular attention paid to reinstating lime plaster in key areas to maintain the building’s natural breathability and historic accuracy.
First-fix electrical and mechanical installations have required careful mapping of service routes to minimise disruption to the building’s original fabric. This delicate balance between modern requirements and heritage preservation demonstrates the expertise needed when working within the constraints of listed building consent. The installation of a Heat Recovery VRV system provides efficient heating and cooling throughout the property, creating a more comfortable and sustainable environment for future occupants.
Fire safety enhancements represent a critical aspect of bringing this historic building up to modern commercial standards. Developed in partnership with PFC Technical Services, these upgrades include the application of Corofil insulation and fireproofing systems to party floors and internal partitions, ensuring full compliance with current regulations whilst working within the constraints of listed consent.
The exterior restoration programme focuses on maintaining and enhancing the building’s long-term structural integrity through a series of carefully planned interventions. Chimney rebuilds and reconditioning represent a major component of the work, with four out of five chimneys being reconstructed in line with heritage specifications to ensure they remain both functional and historically accurate.
Timber windows throughout the building are being replaced with expertly crafted alternatives supplied by Midhurst Windows, ensuring an authentic yet durable restoration that will serve the building for decades to come. The roofing programme includes comprehensive upgrades with full insulation, leadwork replacements, and the re-covering of various flat and slate roof areas to ensure weather-tightness and thermal performance.
The reconstruction of the front parapet follows a like-for-like approach to preserve the building’s historic frontage, maintaining the architectural integrity that makes this property such an important part of Chichester’s streetscape. Guttering overhauls have seen original cast iron elements carefully retained and repaired, whilst modern materials have been replaced with heritage-style aluminium for a more historically accurate finish.
Perhaps most significantly, the application of new lime render is replacing inappropriate cement pebbledash, restoring the building’s breathable and period-correct exterior finish. This work not only improves the building’s appearance but also ensures its long-term preservation by allowing moisture to move naturally through the walls.
With internal scaffold decks in place, the team is efficiently applying traditional lime plasters throughout the interior, ensuring a breathable and durable finish that honours the building’s original construction methods. Savolit boards have been fixed to ceilings and are being skimmed with Limecote from Best of Lime, delivering finishes that align perfectly with the building’s heritage whilst meeting modern performance requirements.
As the project moves through the final stages of structural repairs and interior reconfigurations, Northgate is emerging as a landmark conservation effort that ensures this historic commercial space will continue to serve Chichester’s business community for generations to come, combining respect for the past with functionality for the future.
