ARPL Architects help transform Ayr’s pink buildings

AYR, Scotland - July 31, 2014 - PRLog -- The river crossing into Ayr has been transformed by the restoration of three Georgian tenements in New Bridge Street, the former “pink buildings”.

ARPL Architects have been working closely with Ayr Renaissance to deliver this key element in the regeneration of the town centre.

The building at 1- 5 New Bridge Street, with a Grade A listing, is the finest of the group dating from 1787.

Designed as his own residence by Alexander Stevens, the building complemented Stevens’ design of original New Bridge across the River Ayr of the same date.

Its apartments contain an elegant circular staircase and a series of fine interiors, including an oval drawing room overlooking the river. The remaining buildings were constructed in the early 19th century to complete the Georgian street scene.

Working to the highest standards of conservation with contractor CBC Stone, the repair project addressed major problems of dry rot, leaking roofs, poor windows and deteriorating stonework.

The most dramatic step involved the careful removal of many layers of coloured paint, bringing the external walls back to their original sandstone finish. Using highly specialised methods each layer was lightly washed off to reveal the stone. A number of masonry repairs completed the upgrade of the external walls.

The works were defined following detailed historical research by ARPL  Architects to ascertain the correct arrangement of windows and shopfronts. Trials were undertaken to confirm the best method of paint removal to avoid damage to the stone surface. Finally a careful match to the original stone was achieved through chemical analysis ensuring a comprehensive and rigorous approach to the restoration was achieved.

The Historic Scotland funded project has resulted in the grade A and B Listed buildings being brought back from a state of serious disrepair, ensuring their continued survival.

ARPL Architects Ltd is a Founder Member of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.

THE ELITE AYRSHIRE BUSINESS CIRCLE

The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle is an association founded in 2007 by some of the top companies in Ayrshire.

Its purpose is to publicise its members, and to celebrate and promote the wealth and rich diversity of entrepreneurial talent and business excellence that abounds here within the county boundaries of Ayrshire.

Members include the Clydesdale Bank, Ayr Racecourse, Western House Hotel, Turnberry Golf Resort and South Ayrshire Council. Member company activities include broadcasting, building and construction, architectural practice, estate agency and land management, chartered accountancy, insurance broking, legal services, golf club management, marketing services and brand creation, web design and public relations consultancy.

Frazer Coogans Commercial Solicitors senior partner Norman Geddes is executive chairman of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle, and managing director is public relations consultancy Fame Publicity Services proprietor Murdoch MacDonald.

www.frazercoogans.co.uk

For further information about The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle and to apply for membership, e-mail eliteayrshire@gmail.com

Website: www.eliteayrshire.com

Issued by:

Murdoch MacDonald
Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland KA7 2AY

Telephone: 01292 281498
Mobile: 07833 667322
E-mail: famepublicity@aol.com
Web: www.AyrshireScotlandBusinessNews.com