Goldsmiths Mansion was rebuilt as a result of a fire that tore through the listed building in September 2015.
The fire demolished the building, and the Victorian apartments to the rear were demolished due to the structure becoming unsafe. The owners decided quickly that they should seek to reinstate in a traditional form, and retain the existing residential / retail uses.
Goldsmiths Mansion was Grade II listed and fronted both the Market Hill and public highway. It was sandwiched between two other Grade II listed buildings: HSBC and ‘The Anchor’. The site was cleared of the damaged structure, with the only fragmented remnants being party walls, basements and a garden store.
At an early stage in the process, options were considered how to replace the Goldsmiths Mansion, taking both traditional and contemporary approaches. After many meetings with the Planning and Heritage Teams at Babergh District Council, and with the client / owners, it was considered that a traditional façade would be most appropriate to reflect the historic street scene within the Conservation Area. It was, however, considered that a contextual modern elevational treatment to the rear would help understand the evolution of this area post the devastating fire and add a sense of revitalisation.
From the day after the fire, the nationally renowned handmade brick manufacturer, ‘Bulmer Brick Company’, was involved in the project. Fire damaged bricks and special fragments from the wreckage were recovered to allow exact moulds to be made to recreate the decorative brick façade.