Pure Basement Systems were brought in by the project architect on a national heritage refurbishment project on the Malt Cross in Nottingham
This is a unique project in that is comprises a renovation at basement level, below at sub basement level and below again in a series of caves that have been hand cut out of the natural stone. Pure’s resident CSSW (Certified Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) specialist surveyor’s expert knowledge and experience was invaluable in formulating a robust waterproofing system suitable for this kind of development and terrain.
Malt Cross is a music hall in St James Street, which dates back to 1877. It has a fascinating history. Uses over the last century include a gin palace, billiard hall, roller skating rink and Italian restaurant, and in the 1990’s became Nottingham’s comedy club, playing host to Peter Kay, Tim Vine and Jo Brand.
The UK’s last surviving saloon music hall outside London, Malt Cross, has enjoyed mixed fortunes during its colourful past, losing its licence after being branded a place of ‘widespread villainy and lechery’ just before the outbreak of the First World War as a result of its reputation as a meeting place for criminals and prostitutes. These days, however, it’s in the safe hands of the Malt Cross Trust and instead of miscreants, the popular setting attracts an eclectic bunch of visitors of all ages with an interest in art, crafts, music and real ale. Run as a social enterprise, profits from the café bar are invested back into the charity, where staff work with young musicians, artists and craft workers, helping them to put on shows and exhibitions.
The future of the Malts Cross as a popular daytime and night time venue has been secured by a £1.3 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Some of the biggest changes during the refurbishment happened in the basement. A rubbish strewn sandstone cave, three floors down, was cleared to reveal a rare herringbone floor and a well 40ft below street level, believed to have been used by the 11th Century monks at a monastery that once stood on the site. Soon an amateur archaeological society, which excavated the City of Caves, will be digging there.
The Architect managing the refurbishment brought in Pure Basement Systems to design and implement a reversible waterproofing system (i.e. one that could be removed without damaging the historic structure should it ever be required) for the basement. Pure Basement Systems CSSW (Certified Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) qualified surveyor designed a gravity fed basement waterproofing system, which could drain naturally into a large pre-formed sump within caves below the sub-basement. The project consisted of the restoration of Malt Cross which required that a basement and sub-basement be waterproofed to offer useable commercial space. Cavity drainage membrane was fitted to the walls and floor ensuring that and water passed effectively between floors at an intermediate floor interface.
This is just one of many commercial waterproofing projects Pure Basement Systems have completed.
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