Building Survey at Beaufort House

Historic building survey to Historic England Level II Avon Archaeology Limited were commissioned to undertake a programme of building recording on the grade II listed (HE list entry no. 1245962) Beaufort House, Gloucester. The work was commissioned to inform the pre-planning application process and was limited to the sections of the building which fall within the boundary of the Historic England listing. The survey was undertaken to Historic England Level II specifications (HE, 2016), prior to any alterations taking place. The core of the listed structure comprises two principal phases of construction. The first phase relates to the range fronting Spa Road, which, together with the adjacent terrace called Beaufort Buildings, was constructed c.1818 by the Gloucester Spa Company. The second phase relates to an extension dated between 1852-1883 on the corner plot with Spa Road and Brunswick Road. Outside of the historic core, the building was extended again in the 1970s to include a massive new office space along Brunswick Road and Montpellier. A rapid photographic survey was carried out, both internally and externally. Using existing survey drawings, in conjunction with the photographic record, plans and elevation drawings were created. This report discusses the building's historically significant features and places them within a chronological narrative. The survey revealed that, despite numerous alterations and extensions many 19th century features are retained both internally and externally. Furthermore much of the original floorplan is still present or is easily identifiable within the historic core of the building. Externally the Spa Road and Brunswick Road elevations have been altered very little. Historic features such as cornices, doorcases and window cases are best preserved on the ground and first floors.