Paynter Dixon (PD) oversaw a complex heritage restoration in a live environment within Sydney’s bustling CBD. This seven-day a week project called for creative problem solving, meticulous safety and quality practices, and nuanced communication on multiple fronts.
The Grafton Bond is 140-year-old heritage listed building located at 201 Kent Street, Sydney. The building, designed by revered Australian architect William Wardell, was once part of a much bigger warehouse, capable of holding 44,000 tonnes of cargo and pressing 1600 bales of wool a day.
Today, it is home to an eclectic group of small businesses. However, time had caught up with the building and remediation work was required.
The project brief included:
- Timber frame recoating and repair
- Parapet capping works
- Masonry repointing
- Masonry crack stitching
- Balustrade corrosion works
- Cavity flashing works
- Slate roof tile repair
The project was a challenging one, with extensive project planning required due to site access, working at heights and hazardous materials. Extensive pre-planning was key to staging work outside of hours, reducing disruption and noise in a prominent location.
An intimate understanding of heritage restoration work, including replacing a slate roof and the handling of a hazardous material – lead – was also vital to obtaining approval with relevant authorities. Remarkably, all hazardous materials were removed prior to other works commencing.
Faced with known and unforeseen challenges, the team embraced the potential for sustainability and cost-saving measures. With rust prevalent across the site, alternative solutions were devised to retain original elements – such as steel bar grills and window frames – preserving heritage value and minimising the expense of replacement materials.
