Royal Bell Bromley Basement Waterproofing

Basement Waterproofing at Royal Bell Bromley

This Royal Bell Bromley basement waterproofing project formed part of the wider transformation of The Royal Bell, a historic Grade II listed hotel and public house in central Bromley, South East London. Originally established in the 17th century, with the current building erected in 1898 and modified over the past 120 years, the building retains a number of original features, including a feature staircase, terrazzo flooring and ornate fibrous plaster ceilings to the principal function areas.

The accommodation is spread over five storeys and is intended for hospitality and hotel accommodation use. Planning consent had been secured for the redevelopment and conversion of the existing second and third floor studio residences into hotel suites, together with wider hospitality uses across the lower ground, ground and first floors. The second and third floor levels provide an approximate gross internal area of 650m², or 7,000 sq ft, while the lower ground, ground and first floors account for around 1,394m², or 15,000 sq ft, of intended space. As part of these wider works, selected basement areas required a suitable waterproofing approach.

Quick Facts

Location: Bromley, South East London.
Sector: Hospitality.
Building type: Historic Grade II listed hotel and public house.
Service: Basement waterproofing.
Issue: Groundwater entry and dampness affecting selected under pavement vaults and basement perimeter walls.
Solution: Renlon’s Renstrength Type A waterproofing system.

The Challenge

Part of the building’s transformation involved the need to waterproof selected under pavement vaults and the perimeter walls of the basement to help prevent groundwater entry and dampness in the selected areas. Given the age, character and ongoing redevelopment of the property, it was important that the works addressed the immediate areas of concern identified by the client. Renlon was appointed as a specialist in waterproofing solutions to provide an appropriate specification for these selected areas.

The Solution

Renlon prepared a tailored specification to address water ingress and dampness within the selected vaults and basement perimeter walls, using the latest Renstrength Type A waterproofing system. The solution was developed specifically for the immediate areas of concern highlighted within the brief and formed part of the wider transformation of the building.

Implementation and Results

The waterproofing works were carried out through a structured process, beginning with a detailed review of the basement’s existing condition and the selected areas identified by the client. From there, the appropriate system was specified and installed to support the refurbishment works and help protect the treated spaces from groundwater entry and dampness. This ensured the waterproofing works remained focused on the relevant basement areas within the overall redevelopment of the property.

Assessment and Planning

A thorough assessment of the basement’s existing condition was carried out to identify areas susceptible to water ingress and to determine the most appropriate waterproofing measures for the selected areas of concern instructed by the client. This assessment helped ensure that the proposed works were aligned with the specific parts of the building requiring treatment and that the waterproofing approach responded to the client’s brief.

Material Selection

Following this assessment, Renlon specified the latest Renstrength Type A waterproofing system for the project. This provided a targeted solution for the selected under pavement vaults and basement perimeter walls identified within the scope of works and ensured that the waterproofing system was appropriate for the immediate areas of concern.

Installation

Renlon’s experienced technicians installed the waterproofing system to the selected areas in line with the agreed specification, ensuring all components were applied carefully and to a high standard. The installation focused on the immediate areas of concern identified during the assessment and formed part of the building’s wider transformation and refurbishment.

Quality Assurance

Once installed, the completed waterproofing was checked and tested to verify its effectiveness and confirm that the treated areas had been properly protected.

By carrying out a detailed assessment and specifying the Renstrength Type A waterproofing system for the relevant areas, Renlon delivered a targeted remedial solution for the project. The completed works helped protect the treated spaces as part of the wider redevelopment of The Royal Bell. This Royal Bell Bromley basement waterproofing case study shows how a focused waterproofing solution can support the refurbishment of selected basement areas within a historic building.