The Residence, Lancaster

Client

Baldwin Builder

Duration

2 weeks

Location

Lancaster

Sector

Heritage

Orb Rope Access was appointed by Baldwin Building Services to assist with maintenance works on The Residence, a heritage apartment building in Lancaster.

The brief

We were asked to complete a range of building maintenance works including leak investigations, slate repairs and lead works.

The building

The Residence is now an iconic luxury apartment building. It was originally constructed in 1882 in a Gothic Revival style as an annex for the County Lunatic Asylum. When built it was known as The New Block, and is one of three surviving structures with Ridge Lea Hospital and the original County Asylum building, all of which stand within the Lanaster Moor Conservation Area.

As a heritage building, The Residence has many intricate, hard to reach spaces and elements that require sensitivity and care when carrying out maintenance work.

The work

The maintenance work included reaching difficult to access spaces to carry out leak investigations, working on the roof to complete slate repairs and carrying out lead repairs such as lead flashing and lead gutters.

Both residential and communal areas of the building required maintenance work.

A significant challenge of this project was gaining access to private apartments to establish where leaks had occurred. We worked closely with the caretaker of the building and the residents to gain access and complete the maintenance with minimum disruption and inconvenience.

Our contribution to this phase of the project took just two 5 day visits to complete by a team of two rope technicians. The rest of the project is ongoing.

Benefits to the client

The Orb Rope Access team was proactive in how we approached the project, working with the caretaker on a daily basis to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. We ensured that minimum disruption was caused to apartment residents.

Working on heritage buildings to carry out maintenance work safely and carefully requires knowledge and experience. Orb Rope Access qualified and skilled rope technicians have extensive experience in working on heritage buildings. Knowing that Orb Rope Access is a member of the Heritage Trust Network, the client had confidence that the work would be carried out with great care to avoid causing damage to any parts of the building.

What our clients say about us

Absolutely delighted with the outcome of the works, can't praise ORB highly enough for the all elements of the project, will certainly be using them again on any future projects.

The gutters on our building had not been cleaned for some years. In places they were choked with vegetation and this was causing water ingress into the building whenever we had heavy rain. Access, because of height was an issue. Orb Rope did a fantastic job and resolved the water ingress problem which had become a big concern. The technicians came when they said they would, carried out the work they said they would and left the area clean and tidy. The work was done promptly. We found the technicians knowledgeable and helpful. We would have no hesitation in recommending your company.

“Orb Rope Access have run several projects at Scarisbrick Hall. We have found them to be efficient, reliable and have completed their works on time and on budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending them. Well done Matt and team, keep up the good work.”

" I have worked with Matt and Orb since 2010, on many various tasks within the stadium and training ground, this includes floodlight painting and lamp changes, high level window cleaning, maintenance and repairs to various roofs to include tin, plastic and fiberglass roofs. The fitting of new high level signage and banners, and many other jobs. They helped to develop our rescue plan for our own engineers when working on the floodlights. They are always available when we have had storm damage, working well into the night to complete repairs. I would not hesitate to recommend them to any other company for any type of rope work/high level maintenance, and have done on several occasions. "

"Orb Rope Access have completed numerous projects at St Johns for the past 5 years; Including the reseal of the famous St Johns Beacon! I find them professional, reliable, and very financially competitive. They are a highly recommended contractor of mine and a joy to work with."

"Orb Rope Access were introduced to us as we required a high-level structural inspection solution. Given the nature of the project we needed a service partner who could provide excellent levels of safety coupled with knowledge and capability in delivering the standards we required. Orb didn’t fail to impress, there attention to detail and professionalism throughout the process was second to none."

"I have had the pleasure of working with Orb rope access on a few roofing projects now, and have to say that despite the difficult nature of the work that they do in terms of access they also have an ability to transfer that expertise and attention to detail to the work carried out on site. Top work from a top company!"

"Inleaf specialise in the design, installation and maintenance of living walls throughout the UK. Living walls, by their nature, often require specialist access for installation and maintenance and so we commonly work with Orb Rope Access to provide specialist advice and assistance with projects that require abseiling access. Orb Rope Access have always been friendly, straightforward and professional to deal with. We've found them to be 100% reliable and excellent at working closely with our team when on site, either following specific instructions or using their own initiative when required."

This is the second time we have used Orb for high-level work. We are very satisfied with the job done. The team arrived on site at exactly on time, kept me informed of progress and provided photographs of the completed work for my records. I would have no hesitation in using the company for future work.

Here at Liverpool Cathedral , as you can guess there is a challenge to gain access to problems at height. We have used the services of ORB for several years now and they provide us with a professional and safe service which is beyond our means.

Before ORB came to us for roof work it was very difficult to find anyone who would go on the roof. Scaffolding is very expensive. The men who come to carry out the work are polite and a pleasure to deal with and St Oswald's are so grateful for their expertise.

Roof Repairs and Maintenance: St John’s Church

Heritage project: Rope access inspection of 100ft chimney at Wigan’s Pagefield Mill

Confined Space Rescue Cover, Fiddlers Ferry Power Station, Warrington

View all >>

Get In Touch

At Orb Rope Access we are very proud to be an IRATA Member Company and hold Safe Contractor status. If you are looking for a trusted partner to assist with projects that require working at height or confined space, please get in touch for a no-obligation quote or by calling 0781 333 9064.