Page 19 - Gi_May2020

ABOUT ALBERT COURT

Albert Court comprises a large,
purpose-built block of red brick
mansion flats designed by Frederick
Hemings and succeeded by RJ Worley.
The building was erected in the later
19th century, between 1890 and 1900,
reflecting the period’s sustained
growth in providing apartment living.

Albert Court’s architectural,
archaeological and historic
significance derives from its:
Building form
The distinctive form adds to
the building’s significance as a
representation of the former layout Great Exhibition and by enhancing
of the Royal Horticultural Society the distinctive architectural character
Gardens, making the building of the area dominated by large-scale
architecturally distinctive within the cultural and educational buildings
conservation area where its curved and institutions centred around the
elevation complements the curves of Albert Hall.
the nearby elevation of Albert Hall
Mansions and the Royal Albert Hall Physical relationship with Royal
Albert Hall and Albert Hall Mansions
Building materials The position of the building, along with
The use of similar red brick and the cohesive building materials, results
contrasting Portland stone creates in definite and deliberate visual unity;
a definite and deliberate design their intentional symmetry around the
continuity within the area. This adds axis of the Prince Consort Memorial/
to the significance of the building Royal Albert Hall is unique in London
being representative of the early and contributes to the significance of
masterplan for the area after the 1851 the building.

replacement risers and laterals pipes (CIfA, 2014) and Historic England’s
into and up through Albert Court’s Good Practice Advice. This included
ten internal lightwells particular attention to Managing
Replacement and/or upgrade of Significance in Decision-taking in the
valves, meter installations and Historic Environment (2015) and The
connected outlets Setting of Heritage Assets (2017). The
Reinstatement of all civil works report also included advice contained
Procurement of all materials within Westminster City Council’s
Liaison with local authorities and supplementary planning guidance
With eight floors above ground building management on Repairs and Alterations to Listed
and two floors below, Albert Working with the local planning Buildings (1995).
Court comprises 102 dwellings department for listed buildings Also included was an assessment of
valued at between £3 million The architectural, archaeological and the building’s significance, focusing
on the areas subject to the alterations,
and £25 million each historic significance of Albert Court the internal lightwells and basements,
meant that before works could begin, a as well as a proposed schedule of
Projects of this scale and complexity full planning application was required, works detailing the replacement of the
are rare within MOBs and it was a great alongside approval from Historic existing gas network infrastructure and
experience throughout.” England – the public body that protects outlining the project team’s approach to
The scheme was developed following England’s historic environment. the installation of the pipework.
extensive discussions with the A Historic Building Impact The design approach and methodology
building owners, agents, management Assessment was prepared to support the illustrated an informed and sympathetic
companies and planning officers from application for listed building consent. approach to the works being undertaken
the City of Westminster Council. The report was prepared in that would look to ensure that any
accordance with the National Planning physical and cumulative visual impact
The scope of work included: Policy Framework and followed was minimised, while ensuring Albert
Survey, design, construction, the standards and guidance of the Court’s historic and aesthetic values
testing and commissioning of all Chartered Institute for Archaeologists were appropriately conserved. A key

19

16/04/2020 14:15
AlbertCourtProject.indd 2
AlbertCourtProject.indd 2 16/04/2020 14:15