Case Study:

Grade I listed Pitzhanger Manor

Architect: Julian Harrap Architects / Jestico & Whiles
Client: Quinn London
End Use: Gallery and Event space

History of the building

In 1800, the architect John Soane purchased Pitzhanger Manor House, along with 28 acres of surrounding land which now forms Walpole Park. At this stage in his illustrious career, as architect and surveyor to the Bank of England and with public buildings and private houses to his credit, Soane intended to build his ‘dream’ house – his own country villa, to be used subsequently as a ‘suitable’ residence for his sons.

Soane demolished most of the existing manor apart from an extension designed in 1768 by his first employer, George Dance. He then set about building his own home, which he saw as ‘a sort of portrait’ – an advertisement for his own idiosyncratic architectural style with its classical detail, bold colour schemes and inventive use of space and light.

Following its completion in 1804, the family used Pitzhanger Manor House as a weekend retreat and a place of entertainment. It also accommodated a growing collection of paintings, books, architectural drawings and fragments, later to form the collection which you can now see at Sir John Soane’s Museum at 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

In 1810 Soane sold the House. With remarkably little alteration, it passed through a succession of owners until 1843 when it became home to the daughters of Britain’s only assassinated Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval. In 1901, the building was sold to Ealing District Council and extended to become Ealing’s public library. The 1939 lending library building, on the site of Soane’s mock Roman ruins, is now the gallery. Soane’s ornamental gardens and parkland, including his bridge, entrance arch and lodge, became Walpole Park.

The Grade I listed Manor was closed to the public for 3 years for a full restoration to return it to Soanes original design. This was part of the collaboration between, Ealing Council and Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust.

Along with many talented craft persons involved in this project, A V V Solutions has undertaken various repairs and conservation works:

Supplying and fitting the Colonnade, which consisted of Portland Stone Pilasters, Doric Columns and Capitals.
Stone carving, repairs and/or replace.
Roundels fitted with Brick Bull’s Eye Arches as the surround.
Brickwork Repairs, Rebuild, cut and carve to form new openings.
Re-pointing.
Internal Traditional Lime Plastering.

“AVV Solutions were appointed as the Brickwork Contractor on for a project consisting of extension, alteration, and refurbishment of the existing Inner Temple Treasury Building. Most notably AVV are very helpful and commercially very competitive when taking on additional work. AVV’s Works began in February 2020 and they continued to work though the Covid-19 Pandemic while working to an extremely high standard and adhering to government guidance. Their approach to health and safety aligns with what Sir Robert McAlpine expects from a supply chain partner. They take physical and mental health/wellbeing of the workforce very seriously”

Sir Robert McAlpine