The Kenilworth
External restoration of a Category A-listed Rose Street landmark, combining masonry repairs, lime pointing, window overhaul, high-level work and redecoration of its late-Victorian pub frontage.
The challenge
The Category A-listed Kenilworth occupies a prominent corner of Rose Street and Rose Street South Lane. Its external fabric combines coursed sandstone rubble, dressed window surrounds, bowed dormers, sash-and-case windows, leadwork, rainwater goods and an exceptionally detailed late-Victorian timber pub front. Before the project, the shopfront was painted black and the wider elevations required a coordinated repair approach suited to the building’s architectural significance.
Restorex delivery
Restorex completed a comprehensive external repair programme across the Rose Street and lane elevations. The supplied repair drawing records carefully targeted stone indents to quoins, rybats, architraves, cills and lintels; local rebuilding; lime-mortar repointing; chimney and rubble-masonry work; lead and cast-iron repairs; and overhaul of the traditional sash-and-case windows. The timber frontage and window joinery were prepared and redecorated, changing the pub’s external identity from black to its current deep red finish.
Outcome
Completed in 2023, the project renewed the external envelope while retaining the distinctive form and detail of one of Edinburgh’s most important historic pub buildings. Repaired masonry, overhauled windows, high-level details and the restored red timber frontage now read as one coherent elevation on Rose Street.
Scope highlights
- Stone indents and elevation repairs
- Lime-mortar repointing
- Sash-and-case window overhaul
- Timber frontage restoration and decoration
Completed
2023
Location
Rose Street, Edinburgh
Building environment
Category A-listed operational pub
From black frontage to renewed Rose Street landmark
The historic photograph records the black-painted frontage before the 2023 project. The completed view shows the repaired stone elevations, overhauled windows and deep-red decorative scheme.
Historic photograph: KBPOG / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Image resized and converted for web display.
Coordinated external-envelope scope
The project elevation identifies the specified stone, lead, cast-iron and timber interventions across Rose Street and Rose Street South Lane.
Need a clear restoration proposal?
Tell us about the building, the problem and your timescale. Restorex will advise on the appropriate next step.
Request a quotation