29th November 2017 By Clark Contracts Ltd
The Willow Tea Rooms Trust has appointed Clark Contracts to deliver the final construction and fit out phase of the famous original Tea Rooms Building created for Kate Cranston by Charles Rennie Mackintosh at 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow in 1903.
In addition to reinstating the Tea Rooms, the refurbishment will create an exhibition and visitor centre, learning and education suite, retail and conference facilities. It will become a focal point for cultural and heritage tourism in the city.
Clark Contracts’ Manufactured Joinery Division are recreating some of the original fitted furniture pieces that will feature in the refurbished Tea Rooms including the bespoke banquet seating in the front salon and gallery, the detailed seating in the billiard room and the inglenook seating at its original fireplace.
The Board of Trustees are supported by an Advisory Panel of Mackintosh experts who scrutinise every detail of the restoration to ensure each element of the work is in line with the original Mackintosh designs, conserving the unique heritage.
Celia Sinclair, Chair of the Trustees said “The Trust are delighted to have Clark Contracts on site. Works are going very well. Clark Contracts are not only determined to complete this exciting and challenging project, made possible by the support of The Heritage Lottery Fund, for an opening in June 2018, but are totally committed to the fact that this is a unique, iconic Mackintosh treasure in our City of Glasgow”.
Gerry Cummins, Director, Clark Contracts said “It is an honour to be involved in such a unique and important project for Glasgow. We are looking forward to working with The Willow Tea Rooms Trust, their Mackintosh experts and the design team to deliver this exciting restoration”.
Clark Contracts is working with design team members Simpson and Brown Architects, Project Managers and Surveyors Doig and Smith, Services Engineers Rybka, Interior Design Consultants Studioarc and Structural Engineers David Narro Associates.
The award of the contract will support the training and development of Clark Contracts apprentices and trainees in roles including joinery and site management. The project has already seen visits from local students from Glasgow Caledonian University and there will be events held throughout the duration of the project to promote heritage craft skills.
Founded in 1978, Clark Contracts Ltd is a privately owned main contractor with five operating divisions; Construction, Fit Out, Small Works, Maintenance and Manufactured Joinery. The company employs over 250 people with offices in the East and West of Scotland. The proportion of business derived from repeat customers each year has averaged 76% over the past ten years and 72% of customers rate the contractor as ‘Impressive’ or ‘First Class’.
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