Our client on this project is a domestic client who purchased the existing townhouse and appointed BLOCK NINE ARCHITECTS to develop proposals that offer a sympathetic restoration of the original historic fabric with the aspiration to retain and respect as much of the original fabric and detail of the Georgian townhouse as possible, while providing spaces which facilitate modern family living.

St. Bernard’s Crescent is an extensive symmetrical crescent terrace of 2-storey, basement and attic 3-bay townhouses, with a 3-storey and basement centre block.

The terrace was built in 1824 to the design of the Architect James Milne.

It forms the north part of an elongated double crescent enclosing a green tree-lined amenity space.

The property, while an exemplary Category A listed terraced Georgian townhouse, required considerable renovation, improvement and upgrading to achieve the standard of finish required.

Some of the detailing which had been lost or hidden through historic works in the building’s lifespan have been reinstated.

These include opening up of original fireplace positions in the lower and upper floors, reinstatement of the sandstone basement range, refurbishment of original sash and case windows, reinstatement and refurbishment of traditional window shutters and a full overhaul of the roof, re-using the original slate where possible, with use of traditional lead detailing.