The work is the first part of a £188,000 contract being carried out by specialist contractor Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL), who is acting as Main Contractor. The second phase, to renovate the building’s north and east elevations, is scheduled for completion during the same ‘weather window’ period in 2002.

The prominent 90-metre high, twenty-three-storey building, located on the sea front immediately above the Metropole Hotel, is a privately owned residential block built in the late 60s. The hotel occupies the first six storeys of the structure and regularly provides accommodation for many politicians during party conferences that take place in the adjacent Grand Hotel.

The structure, originally refurbished ten years ago with Ronacrete materials, was the first in the UK to receive an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) and the current upgrade had became necessary in order to extend the insurance for a further 10-year period. However, following pressure washing to remove atmospheric pollutants, bird deposits and the like, CRL found very little deterioration of the substrate.

The renovation is being carried out from cradles rigged and de-rigged daily. It involves a little concrete reinstatement followed by the roller-application of two coats of white ‘Joltec 2’ fibrous coating over the entire surface. By the end of the contract, in 2002, an area of more than 5,000 square metres will have been treated. Ronacrete’s acrylic anti-carbonation/decorative treatment is able to bridge cracks up to 2mm wide and just 600 microns thickness will provide protection equivalent to 0.5 metres of concrete. Because of sunlight reflecting from the coating, CRL operatives are wearing special tinted safety glasses whilst carrying out the work. In addition to the general renovation, all balcony decks and metal windows are being painted and the windows re-sealed with an acrylic based, gun-applied, sealant. Sussex Heights is a unique and imposing structure that is clearly evident from all directions. Once complete, the current project will make the building an even more prominent local landmark.