In the UK, we have thousands of beautiful historic buildings gracing our towns and cities. Why is it important that we invest time and money in restoring these old buildings? These buildings play an important role in creating a sense of community and character in a city. They are an example of a particular time and style of architecture that would otherwise be long forgotten.

But despite their charm and incredible historical value, many of these old structures are in desperate need of repair. Extreme weather, abandonment, poor management, neglect, or simply a lack of money has led to these once lovely old buildings falling into disrepair. Here are seven reasons why we must undertake historical building restoration.

old stone facade

1. Historical value

Old, historic buildings are one of the few things we have today that can tell us about the past and how people once lived and worked. They have both a historical and educational value, giving us so much to learn about interior design, architecture, past living standards, and our ancestors’ way of life.

2. Cultural significance

Historic building preservation helps to remember a town or city’s culture and interesting past. These old buildings are visual reminders of an area’s cultural heritage and the people and industries that once played a key role in establishing the area and making it what it is today. Heritage building renovation is essential in ensuring that the nation’s history and culture are never forgotten.

3. Architectural importance

What can make these older buildings so fascinating to us today is their unique architecture and design. Thanks to historic buildings, we can experience the gothic feel of a medieval tower, the zebra stripes from the Tudor era, Victorian Neo-Gothic architecture or the post-war modernism’s minimalist, concrete building style. Even the rustic appeal of exposed beams or the quirkiness of an uneven ceiling reveals a building’s character all of its own.

4. Increases tourism

Historic buildings attract people from all over the world. Whether it’s the building’s fascinating historical roots, its distinctive architecture, the materials used or some aspect of the building’s decoration that’s particularly interesting. Historic buildings play an important role in increasing tourism, providing jobs and revitalising communities.

5. Boosts local business

Many types of business stand to gain from a well-restored heritage building. The first to benefit from a historical restoration are the various builders, contractors and restoration experts involved in the restoration works. Once the restoration is complete, the building might be opened to the public as a museum, offering significant educational value and impacting the area’s economy and create employment. While historic buildings often provide a rather stunning backdrop for businesses to move to, some heritage buildings are even repurposed as homes or commercial property such as offices or shops, giving the area a much-needed new lease of life.

6. Examples of quality construction

You may assume that the best quality building materials and construction techniques go into today’s new buildings. But in fact, that’s not always the case. However, many historic buildings were built with much better-quality materials used in our builds today. While the priority now is often to get buildings up as quickly as possible, most pre-World War II buildings were built to last. These buildings are dependable, sturdy and often a much safer alternative than today’s more flimsy versions. Once faithfully restored to its original glory, a historic building is likely to be a better and more sustainable build than its modern counterpart.

7. Last chance to preserve the past

If we didn’t undertake historical building restoration, there would be nothing left of our history in architectural terms. Demolishing an old building or simply letting it fall into disrepair could mean an important part of our history is gone forever. After all, even the most uninteresting looking buildings on the outside could be hiding a treasure trove of rare architectural details that may tell us something important about our historical past. As a growing number of more unusual historic buildings are added to the listed buildings register, it shows that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

Historic building restoration

You only need to look at some of the beautiful historic building restoration projects our team at Building Transformation have been involved with to see just why it’s important to undertake historic building restoration. For example, our team restored the lovely Haseley Manor in Warwick, an 1875 Grade II listed building, back to its former glory. We also undertook a full façade restoration of Bristol’s Ministry of Defence building at Abbeywood, Bristol and The Corner House leisure complex in Nottingham. Without careful historic building preservation and stone restoration, so many of the UK’s buildings would eventually be lost forever.

At Building Transformation, we have extensive experience working with heritage and historic buildings. Our approach to façade and stone restoration, cleaning and roof repairs combines traditional and modern techniques that deliver great results while respecting the complexities of a historic building.

To find out how we can help you on your heritage building restoration project, call our team today on 01234 589807.



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Testimonials

Building Transformation’s unquestionable honesty and enthusiasm for ensuring the client receives the correct whole-life solution (rather than a quick fix) resulted in us being able to ensure the building was not only returned to its former glory, but will stay that way for years to come. I would recommend them to anyone.

Kenny Gash - Carillion Amey

The work provided by Building Transformation was excellent. Their product and building exteriors knowledge is detailed, comprehensive and practically applied to the client’s needs. They offer a professional, detailed, high-quality and customer- focused service which meets the short, medium and long-term needs of the client, and provides practical, cost-realistic advice.

Kerry Quinn - Echo Arena

Customer service is paramount to Building Transformation and they invested vast amounts of time in providing me with a programme to facilitate what was a very complex and time-specific programme of work for the site. The quality and level of support provided by Building Transformation is priceless to any client/contractor.

Marc Blow MCIOB MBIFM - Carillion Amey

The approach and advice on setting up the works at the Wolverhampton Civic Centre were first-class. Building Transformation’s attention to detail was excellent and the RAMS were followed meticulously to every detail. We were delighted with the works and service, and would not hesitate to use them again, nor hesitate to recommend them to any organisation.

Kevin Egginton - Wolverhampton Council

A 200,000 sq. ft., four-storey leisure venue in the heart of Nottingham city centre surrounded by major traffic routes needed work to be done overnight to deal with the traffic issues, while the site remained open throughout. The project took around three weeks to complete and went exceptionally well; the Building Transformation staff were flexible and able to work round dynamic operational issues. The clean was of a high standard and has made a significant different to the image of the building. A very difficult job done well.

Suzanne Green - Land Securities

May & Co have worked with Building Transformation on a number of projects which have included external building cleaning and refurbishment. They provided a great service, supported by the high level of documentation from the initial quotation to books and industry-related guidance, all relevant to our project.

Anton Theobald - May & Co

I am very satisfied in the manner the job was conducted. Also the level of cleaning provided and attention to detail is much appreciated.

Waqas Bin Tahir - Ibis Southampton

I am using Building Transformation’s work to help justify façade restoration works around our business. They have produced excellent presentations on what can be achieved and is a brilliant piece of informed marketing that is helping slowly win people over in our business to take façade cleaning and restoration more seriously.

Needless to say Building Transformation is a name that is now becoming known and respected.

Simon Attwood - Broadgate Estates Ltd.

Building Transformation gave great communication throughout our projects.
It will be my pleasure to recommend Building Transformation.

Sarah Cameron - My Hotels Group

Just signed off the job with Richard. Myself, the bosses and the tenant all are very pleased with the work. It definitely looks rejuvenated just a case of painting the concrete window surrounds in the new year to finish it off. Have found your company and staff very professional and helpful which has facilitated a project with minimal inconvenience and disruption to our in situ tenants.

Mark Hollinshead - Headruddy Property Development

I had a walk around today with Dave and am impressed with the work so far. Dave and the team have done a great job.

I’d certainly love to work with you in the future so perhaps before the job is completed we could look at what opportunities there are for the future.

Marie Green - Novotel Sheffield

At this stage, from my point of view your team has been extremely professional, informing us of what was happening at all times and most importantly no disruption whatsoever to our guests and business.

Ludovic Verzi - Novotel Leeds

We are very satisfied in the manner the job was conducted. The operatives on site were very professional and communicated to us at all times.

Maria Pinana Mateu - Science Museum

The team at Building Transformation understood our challenge of finding a facade cleaning solution that would initially restore the glazing to its original state, protecting our building for years to come. Through intelligent and thorough testing right through to the full restoration of Block D, we have been very satisfied with the project management and delivery of the cleaning programme.

Colin Pilkington - Renaker Build Limited

Thank you for all the work that you carried out in cleaning the outside of our school. We are delighted with the results. You have managed to completely remove heavy staining from many areas around the building.

We found you extremely easy to work with: your quote was reasonable, you carried out the work quickly and you were very flexible in terms of timings.

Tamsin Griffith - Courtney Road Primary School, Bristol

have worked with Building Transformation on several projects within the hospitality industry and have found
them to provide high levels of professionalism and workmanship.

Stephanie LE COUTEUR - ARTELIA UK

e will definitely be working with you again! Your engineers were very polite and accommodating every time they visited site and have done a first class job. I will be recommending Building Transformation to everyone!

Mark Healy - One Facility

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