Client
Marshall
Value
£2.2M
Sectors & Services
Buildings Repairs & Refurbishment Heritage & Listed Concrete Repair Corrosion Control External Façade Refurbishment Projects
CRL recently delivered a major restoration project on the prestigious Gotham Hotel, a Grade II listed building located in the heart of Manchester city centre.
Constructed in the 1930s, the building features a steel frame clad in Portland Stone. Over time, cracking of the stone cladding had been observed, caused by expansive corrosion of the steel frame—a degradation mechanism known as Regent Street Disease. The project was commissioned to protect both the structural integrity and historic fabric of the hotel, ensuring long-term resilience.
By combining specialist heritage restoration practices with modern engineering techniques, CRL preserved this iconic building while extending the service life of its structural frame by up to 60 years.
Services Undertaken
- Installation of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) system, including reference cells, monitoring probes, T.R units, anode ribbon, and multi-core cabling
- Mortar joint raking and widening to 50mm for ICCP installation
- Survey and condition assessment of stonework and structural steel frame
- Heritage-sensitive stonework repairs with colour-matched mortar
- Collaboration with specialist subcontractors for conservation and engineering works
- Complex scaffolding installation tailored to listed building requirements
- Dust control, extraction systems, and privacy screening for occupants
- Coordination of electrical power with neighbouring commercial units
- Structural repairs to mitigate Regent Street Disease and enhance long-term durability
- Conservation management and project phasing
for every job
The project was organised into four phases covering 16 zones, with Phase 1 completed and work progressing through the subsequent phases. To arrest ongoing corrosion, an Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) system was installed. This system included reference cells, monitoring probes, T.R monitoring and control units, anode ribbon, and multi-core cabling, providing robust, long-term protection against steel-frame deterioration. Mortar joints were raked to a depth of 50mm and widened to accommodate the installation of anodes and cabling, ensuring optimal system performance.
Heritage-sensitive restoration work was undertaken in collaboration with specialist subcontractors. Bullens Conservation managed all external stonework repairs, ensuring colour-matched mortar blended seamlessly with the aged Portland Stone. Intelligence Scaffoldings designed and installed complex scaffolding tailored to the listed building’s conservation requirements, providing safe and discreet access to all façades. Dust extraction and industrial-grade ventilation systems were implemented to protect workers and residents, while extended-height scaffolding and screening maintained privacy for occupants. Electrical power coordination with neighbouring commercial units minimised disruption and maintained safe access, reflecting CRL’s commitment to client-focused operational management.
A comprehensive survey informed the repair strategy, allowing targeted intervention on cracked stonework. All works integrated modern concrete repair techniques with traditional materials, demonstrating CRL’s expertise in structural repairs UK while preserving the hotel’s heritage value.
"Although the building remains fully occupied throughout the works, CRL is delivering each phase with meticulous care and attention, ensuring minimal disruption to guests and tenants. Restoring a Grade II listed building of this stature in the heart of Manchester requires not only technical expertise but also sensitivity to its heritage and current use. From colour-matching mortars to integrating complex cathodic protection systems, every detail is considered to preserve the building’s character while securing its structural integrity for future generations."
Wayne Nellis | Project Manager | CRL
The ICCP system provided long-term corrosion prevention for the steel frame, significantly extending its service life and reducing future maintenance requirements.
Protective treatments on mortar joints, combined with precise surface preparation and colour-matched repairs, safeguarded the stone cladding while maintaining visual authenticity.
Dust control, screening, and industrial-grade extraction systems ensured environmental protection and worker safety throughout the project. The integration of heritage-sensitive conservation with modern asset management strategies enhanced the building’s structural durability and resilience, ensuring that the Gotham Hotel remained a secure, historically intact landmark. These measures collectively supported long-term maintenance planning and set a benchmark for ICCP installation on heritage buildings.
the repair
