Hadlow Tower, the tallest surviving Victorian Gothic structure in Britain, stands proudly at 53 metres high in Kent.
This Grade I listed tower, built in the mid-19th century by Walter Barton May, has a rich history including its use as an observation post by the Observer Corps and Home Guard during World War II. Despite its grandeur, the tower faced years of neglect and weather damage, leaving it in a perilous state and listed by the World Monument Fund in the top 100 most endangered historic buildings in the world.
We were appointed by Vivat Trust, a client with passion, energy and a bold vision to restore this architectural gem. As quantity surveyors we undertook initial cost planning and worked with our project development colleagues to frame the investment ask of funders; National Lottery Heritage Fund, English Heritage, the Country House Foundation, Kent County Council, and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
Having secured funding, our project management and principal designer teams coordinated the delivery of agreed outcomes over 2-years, ensuring safety considerations were addressed throughout the design phase and regulatory compliance maintained until completion of work on site. Our cost management colleagues managed the draw down from the capital budget and provided essential financial governance reporting to funders from concept to post completion.
The collaborative team effort of all stakeholders on a complex project involving; a new steel core to provide stability, enhanced access, sympathetic restoration of the exterior (including the re-instatement of the 12-metre-tall lantern) and a repurposed interior for commercial use was recognised with awards from:
RICS South – Heritage Project of the Year
English Heritage – Best Craftsmanship and Best People
Hadlow Tower is now a great place to stay and a commercially successful leisure business. Offering luxurious holiday accommodation with wheelchair access up to the third floor, guests can enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the stunning Kent countryside and experience a blend of historical charm and modern comfort.
We also achieved an important wider social impact. The ground floor has been transformed into a permanent exhibition space where any visitor can step back in time and explore the Tower’s rich history and architectural significance, in the media-centre equipped with modern amenities.
| Procurement Route | Value | Services Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional | £4m | Cost Planning, Cost Management, Principal Designer, Project Management, Quantity Surveying |
