Savvy are pleased to announce that it has begun the £8m project to renovate the 200-year-old Silverlands Grade II listed manor house near Chertsey, Surrey.
Purchased by our client in 2008, this is a unique and complex project that comprises significant logistic, conservation and ecological challenges requiring considerable sensitivity to the heritage of the property.
As a Grade II listed building in-depth consultation has been required to ensure the architectural aspects of the building are maintained and where possible, enhanced. However, due to vandalism and theft over a long period, this objective has become more complex in recent months.
Savvy has been working in conjunction with conservation officers and our client to retain and preserve as much of the original features of the building as possible, drawing on its experience of working on historical buildings around Oxfordshire.
The history of Silverlands
Silverlands holds a fascinating past going back almost two centuries. It was originally built as a three storey Georgian mansion by Surrey brewer Robert Porter between 1816 and 1820. Over the years it has changed hands several times amongst the nobility, with rebuilds, extensions and renovations carried out by successive owners, most notably the Vice-Admiral the Rt. Hon Sir Frederick Hotham, around 1825. The result was a fascinating mixture of architecture and style representing different periods in 19th and 20th centuries. Today, perhaps the most striking feature is the Neo-Georgian Lobby and extensive billiard room added by Sir John Tomlinson Brunner Bt. MP when he purchased and extended the property in 1908.
Silverlands, south face 1914
Dilapidation
Silverland’s was bought by our client with a view to renovating the house whilst retaining the original architectural character and décor features of the building.
Despite every attempt to secure the building, unfortunately it has been the victim of vandals and thieves over the years who have caused extensive damage, most importantly to the roof, which has allowed water to collapse floors, ceilings and ruin historical features, leaving the building severely dilapidated.
The once beautiful grounds have become overgrown, the magnificent billiards room (see below) lays in ruin, and the ornate entrance hall has been vandalised and original features such as fire places stolen.
A new future begins
Savvy has now commenced the process of reclaiming the building to enable renovation, starting with site clearance and erection of scaffolding to allow a full survey of the building and prevention of any further damage. It has also started to catalogue as much of the original features as possible to ensure they can be saved for future renovation works in line with the conservation officers recommendations.
This is the first of a multi-stage renovation project to bring back to life this important and historical building so that future generations can again appreciate the unique and precious example of architecture from key period in our nation’s history.
We will be providing updates on the renovation in our email newsletters. If you would like to be kept up to date as the project progresses, please email us at marketing@savyyconstruction.co.uk and request to be added to our newsletter list.
