The Balmoral Hotel
Styles Façade Solutions® (formerly Thomann-Hanry®) delivered a detailed commercial scaffold free facade survey and façade condition survey for a historic hotel, providing a comprehensive assessment of masonry, external woodwork and the overall condition of the building envelope. Our Commercial Building Condition Survey Reports identified priority maintenance issues, supporting long-term asset management and conservation planning.
As specialists in Commercial Building Surveys & Façade Condition Reports, we combined drone technology with MEWPs to complete a thorough condition survey without the need for costly scaffolding. This approach enabled close-up inspections, immediate removal of loose masonry in high-risk public areas, and detailed reporting on façade defects.
The project included Façade Surveys for Commercial Property Managers, with particular focus on the hotel’s 58-metre clock tower, exposed to severe weather conditions. Conducted primarily at night to minimise disruption, the survey resulted in a detailed Commercial Building Condition Survey highlighting repair priorities, risk areas and future maintenance requirements.
Solutions provided
CHECKING OUT? THE BALMORAL FAÇADE SURVEY
The Category B-listed The Balmoral has been an icon of the Edinburgh skyline since it first opened its doors to paying customers in 1902. Styles Façade Solutions® was instructed to carry out a full façade survey as part of the ongoing plan of works to keep the hotel looking its best.
Located in the heart of the city, The Balmoral’s design was the result of an open competition in 1895 by the North British Railway Company for a new railway hotel adjacent to the newly rebuilt Waverley Station.
Tied to the railways for decades, the 167-room hotel opened in 1902 and survived the nationalisation of the railways in 1948. It wasn’t until privatisation in 1983 that the hotel was purchased by The Gleneagles Hotel Company. The hotel closed for major refurbishment work in 1988 and was formally re-opened in June 1991 by Sir Sean Connery. In 1997, the hotel was sold to the current owners – Rocco Forte Hotels.
The ornate stone façade of The Balmoral Hotel, showcasing Victorian architecture with decorative columns, arched windows, balconies, and turrets.
CHECKING IN? – HOTEL FAÇADE SURVEY
Styles Façade Solutions® was brought on-site to complete a detailed commercial building, scaffold free facade survey assessing the integrity of the masonry, external woodwork and general condition of the building’s exterior. Our report provided the hotel’s management team with a clear understanding of all the key points of concern which would need to be rectified during the next round of maintenance and help support the long-term conservation of this historic building.
The hotel is situated on two sides by main roads, with a steep staircase leading to Waverley Station on one side, and, to the rear, the main glass-and-steel canopy of the busy mainline station. Traditional scaffolding would have been both time-consuming and expensive to construct. By using a strategic mixture of MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) and drones, our team was able to inspect every inch of the façade and record any issues or areas of concern without the need for fixed structures.
SUPERIOR TO DRONE-ONLY INSPECTIONS
While drones offer a useful overview, the use of MEWPs allows our specialists to provide a hands-on service. This was particularly critical for the two faces bordering busy roads; our team was able to physically inspect and immediately remove any loose or at-risk masonry that could have posed a threat to the public – an action impossible with drones or binoculars alone.
This also allows for more regular site inspections to take place to monitor potential issues long before they become significant structural problems. Regular inspections are key to maintenance planning and allow building owners to gain an overview of important repair or replacement issues throughout the project management and planning process.
The prominent clock tower, at almost 58 metres high was a priority area for investigation. Its exposed nature makes it susceptible to high winds and heavy rain, which can work masonry loose and cause potential damage to the members of the public below. Our survey ensured the tower remains secure and structurally sound.
“PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB”
The majority of the survey was carried out at night; this allowed the hotel and its guests to go about their day-to-day business without the inconvenience of closed footpaths and reduced access. After eight days (and nights), the comprehensive survey was completed, and within a few weeks, the management team was presented with a detailed façade report highlighting the key areas of concern and the priority list of repairs and remediations which would be needed during the next scheduled maintenance programme.
“At The Balmoral, regular façade inspections are crucial to maintaining the timeless beauty and structural integrity of our historic building. By closely monitoring the condition of the exterior, we can anticipate potential maintenance activities in advance. This ensures the safety and longevity of the building but also allows us to manage resources effectively, preventing unexpected repairs and preserving the elegance of Edinburgh’s iconic building for years to come.”
Iain Davidson, Health, Safety & Security Manager - Rocco Forte Hotels
See the links below for more examples of the results Styles Façade Solutions® (formerly Thomann-Hanry®) can deliver for your business.
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