Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Key features: Commercial, Grade II Listed, Sash Windows, Renovation, Double-glazing, Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System, Victorian

A renowned eye hospital celebrating its bicentenary this year has been given expert help to retain its heritage by leading period window specialist Ventrolla.

Manchester Royal Eye Hospital has a new modern building now but its former hospital building, a Victorian Grade II listed facade, remains on a prominent site in Oxford Road.

Citylabs, a new biomedical centre of excellence is being developed there, using both the frontage of the former Royal Eye Hospital building and a 94,000 sq ft building at the rear.

For this latest chapter in the building’s history a major operation was required to provide quality replacement windows in keeping with its heritage.

The £320,000 project entrusted to Ventrolla involved 130 windows in total and was completed in April 2014. Some 30% of the windows were renovated and 70% fitted with double-glazed replacements, with Ventrolla’s patented Sash Removal System (SRS) also installed.

The unique Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS) was then fitted to combat draughts and reduce external noise. The sash cords were replaced, pulleys serviced and sashes correctly balanced to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the windows. Ric Burgess of Lend Lease, contractors for the Citylabs development said:

“The professional team at Ventrolla did a great job on site, the client was very happy, and they will certainly get my recommendation on other projects in the future.”

“As the old hospital is such an important building, it was essential to get the right team in to do the job, and Ventrolla did just that.”

Manchester Royal Eye Hospital’s history will be celebrated throughout 2014 as it is 200 years since the hospital was founded. The listed building Ventrolla is working on opened in 1886.

Harrogate window renovation

With over 30 years’ experience, Ventrolla offers a tailored range of period window solutions including repair and renovation, new timber windows, secondary glazing solutions and a wide range of window hardware. The company’s head office is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and regional offices are also located throughout the UK and Ireland.