DOORS, WINDOWS & FITTINGS
ASWS GOES BEYOND WINDOW RESTORATION
MAYFAIR HEADQUARTERS PROJECT DEMONSTRATES GROWING ROLE FOR ASWS IN WINDOW RESTORATION
The conversion of a Mayfair commercial building into the new headquarters of London’ s largest private property investors has seen Associated Steel Window Services( ASWS) undertake multiple refurbishment packages, extending its work beyond its traditional specialism of steel window restoration.
Beginning on site in early 2025, the project saw Vert Projects deliver extensive Cat A and Cat B fit-outs across eight storeys of the Georgian-style office building at 28 St. George Street, W1. The improvements targeted a BREEAM Excellent rating and EPC A certificate, requiring the performance of the building’ s 20-year-old timber windows to be optimised. A high-quality finish was also essential to attract a high-profile tenant, while restricted space and complex sequencing added logistical challenges.
Initially appointed to renovate, draught-proof and redecorate timber sash windows across three elevations, ASWS subsequently secured additional work. This included refurbishing four large windows in the fourth-floor lightwell, restoring three shopfronts and undertaking silicone work throughout the building. The company also fitted and draughtproofed nine new timber windows manufactured by another contractor.
ASWS Operations Director Kris Bennell said:“ 28 St George Street is a beautiful building, but the wooden windows were suffering a degree of deterioration and required careful restoration, using a three-coat paint system.
“ The work involved replacing all staff and parting beads, installing new draught strips and fully redecorating the windows. We also applied perimeter silicone and top-cap seals from ground level to the fourth floor, across two elevations and the lightwell.
“ Once work began, we found some sills had rotted, requiring new timber to be scarfed in, alongside Repair-Care resin repairs in multiple locations. Many of our fitters and carpenters are now trained in these specialist techniques. We also supplied and fitted new Strada ironmongery, including window locks and restrictors.”
The project’ s sequencing presented further difficulties, as the Cat B fit-out had to be handed over considerably earlier than the Cat A works. With scaffolding in place, completing the ground-floor windows proved particularly challenging for the team and site manager Jonathan Benitez.
Bennell added:“ Although we had priced to apply the silicone seals to all the windows, the client was so impressed that we were asked to undertake all the project’ s silicone work. This included perimeter seals around new windows and ducting, using various RAL colours.
“ Portland Stone was specified for the front elevation, buff for the lightwell and white for internal topcapping and the St George Street elevation. Black silicone was used for the brickwork expansion joints.”
ASWS provides surveying, repair, replica replacement and maintenance services for metal and timber windows of all ages and types. For more information, visit asws. co. uk.
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