Recent productions include the Elton John biopic “Rocketman” and, in 2019, “Dracula” returned to the studios over 60 years after Terence Fisher’s original was shot here.

Clague obtained the necessary listed building consents to achieve our client’s vision to fully repair and re-order Down Place Mansion itself. The west wall once the mansions main entrance had been demoted to a back of house area through the extension and re-orientation of the building when extended in the 1800’s. The project looked to restore the western  approach as the main entrance to the Mansion.

Working with the projects structural engineer we concluded after much research and investigation the radical proposal to rebuild the wall in its entirety was the only viable solution. We approached Historic England and working with their officers gained their approval of our methodology. A form of facadism in reverse we had to support the rest of the listed building while its facade was removed and rebuilt.

The property suffered from severe wet and dry rot and sadly one wing was beyond retention. We worked closely with a timber expert and the structural engineer to prepare solutions for the building not only to eradicate the existing decay but to put into place details to protect it in the future.

Now renovated to be wind and watertight, the development of the next phase of fit-out works are currently due to progress.