Overview
BEFORE
- Construction was completed in 1879 & was financed by the profits from the local gunpowder mills (the produce was said to have been used in the American Civil War)
- The building was originally opened as a gentlemen’s residence for visiting London merchants
- Epsom & Ewell borough council purchased the property for £5,490 in 1935
- It is now used as a wedding reception venue, for private functions and various other private events
- In December 2013 a fire destroyed the majority of the roof and top floor. The resulting water ingress caused severe damage throughout the property
DURING
J E Putney & Sons were awarded the contract to carry out the restoration of the lime plastering works throughout. Several ceilings were replaced in their entirety using Oak riven laths & 3 coat haired lime plaster, including the main hallway and 1 of the large wedding reception/dining rooms. Large quantities of walls were repaired & restored using the same materials and techniques. Exposed masonry walls were also re-plastered with 3 coat haired lime plaster. The fibrous cornice restoration & replacement was also carried out by J E Putney & Son