Archive of Past 'Building of the Month / Archifdy 'Adeilad y Mis'

Exchange House
Holywell
Holywell THI, Flintshire

 

Exchange House 1905

 

Exchange House prior to restoration

 

Exchange House restored

 

Rear before restoration

 

 

Exchange House rear after

 

Exchange House is a landmark listed building located in Holywell's historic High Street. It had been vacant for many years, with inadequate maintenance and damaging alterations.

Despite its condition, the building retained fragments of early work dating to 1702 and much of the mid-Georgian remodelling. Such details included the dragon tie roof construction, a kite winder staircase and
early sash windows with thick ovolo moulded glazing bars and original glass. The project involved the complete repair and restoration of the building in addition to the sensitive adaptation of the extensive vacant floor space for residential use to the upper floors. A new classical shop front was designed with mouldings based on a period fireplace found on the first floor and from Edwardian photographs, and it was painted using traditional flat oil based paint.

All period windows were comprehensively overhauled. The first floor mid/late Georgian windows to the street elevation were restored and first floor windows were reverted to their original full height following the removal of the raised signboard.

The render and decorative detailing on the front elevation was in poor condition and had been subject to inappropriate repairs. The quoins, brackets cornice and rusticated bands surrounding the windows were
conservatively repaired to recreate the fine original Georgian remodelling of the building.

The rear elevation, which had suffered from unsympathetic alterations, neglect and water penetration and frost damage was sensitively restored, with renewed sash windows, repaired and re-pointed brickwork and the recently discovered low level beamed opening with brick relieving arch.

Since completion all four apartments have been occupied with interest being shown in the refurbished shop unit. The restoration received a 'Commended' in the 'Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting' category for the Georgian Group Awards 2005 on November 1.

The restoration and reuse project was devised by the Chester office of Donald Insall Associates in discussion with the local planning authority. The scheme was funded by the Holywell Townscape Heritage Initiative managed by Flintshire County Council. The THI is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, CADW, the Welsh Assembly Government, Flintshire County Council and the Welsh Development Agency.