Constructing Excellence – A Focus on the Cathedral Quarter, Gloucester

RRA Architects > Constructing Excellence – A Focus on the Cathedral Quarter, Gloucester
The folk of Gloucester Museum, restored as part of the funding. The lettering “LLOYD” was revealed during the conservation works

April 29, 2023 / By rachel

We had the pleasure of attending Constructing Excellence’s ‘Walkabout’, which provided a fascinating insight into some of Gloucestershire’s historical buildings on Westgate Street.

Cathedral Quarter Programme Manager, Claire Dovey-Evans, led the tour and talked about the regeneration and protection works for the improvement of 15 historic properties. Thanks to a Government funding programme called High Street Heritage Action Zones, the initiative also intends to deliver a public realm improvement scheme to transform Westgate Street.

A mix of medieval and Georgian facades can be seen in the alleyways of Westgate Street
A mix of medieval and Georgian facades can be seen in the alleyways off Westgate Street

Meeting at The Folk Museum, The Civic Trust gave an overview of the recent improvements that have been done to the museum. We then had the opportunity to visit some of the ongoing projects on the High Street to understand the history behind the walls and the complexities involved with conserving both the Medieval and part Georgian structures.

Medieval structures were exposed during the restoration and conservation works to the historic building of Westgate Street, Gloucestershire.
Medieval structures were exposed during the restoration and conservation works
Fire protection added to a Medieval structure in Westgate Street, Gloucestershire.
Fire protection added to a Medieval structure
Layers of centuries old wallpaper that was revealed during the restoration works.
Layers of centuries old wallpaper that was revealed during the restoration works.
Plaster reliefs dating back to the Georgian era seen on medieval buildings.
Plaster reliefs dating back to the Georgian era seen on medieval buildings.
Details of the Plaster reliefs, believed to be inspired by oversea travels.
Details of the Plaster reliefs, believed to be inspired by oversea travels.

It was especially satisfying to see one of RRA’s completed projects, no.88 Westgate Street, which was able to benefit from a grant provided by Historic England. This former Indian restaurant in a single storey building was vacant for some time, but has now been transformed into a beauty salon on the ground floor, with an additional storey added above to accommodate a 2-bed, first floor apartment.

88 Westgate Street, one of RRA Architects projects. Pictured with Gloucester Cathedral in the background, showing the close proximity.
88 Westgate Street, one of RRA Architects projects. Pictured with Gloucester Cathedral in the background, showing the close proximity.

Special thanks to Claire Dovey-Evans from the Cathedral Quarter, Gloucester for leading the tour and giving such an interesting presentation.

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