Pearl Court, an iconic Art Deco building in the heart of Eastbourne, has stood as a landmark since it was built in the 1930s. Originally constructed to house employees of Pearl Assurance in ‘apartment mansions’, the building features grand architectural details, including expansive bay windows that give the building its unique character.
Over the decades, time and the elements had taken their toll on the original windows, prompting a need for restoration. Sussex Glass Art, led by owner Mark Brown, took on the challenge of restoring these historic windows with the help of RegaLead products.
The challenge
The restoration of Pearl Court’s windows was no simple task. The project involved the restoration of four large bay windows, each with intricate designs reflective of the building’s Art Deco heritage. At nearly 100 years old, these windows required meticulous attention to detail to preserve their historical integrity while meeting modern standards of energy efficiency and durability.
Adding to the complexity, the project faced delays and interruptions, with the original client going bankrupt and a new company stepping in to complete the job. This led to a drawn-out process spanning three years.
The solution
To bring the project to life, Sussex Glass Art relied on RegaLead’s range of decorative glazing products. RegaLead supplied:
- Lead profiles to replicate the classic detailing of the original windows.
- Coloured film to bring vibrancy and authenticity to the designs.
- Obscured film for privacy without compromising the aesthetic appeal.
RegaLead’s products are said to have provided the perfect solution for maintaining the building’s Art Deco charm while upgrading the windows to modern specifications. The decorative films and lead profiles were used to carefully recreate the intricate designs that define Pearl Court’s iconic look.
Why RegaLead?
Mark Brown has a long-standing relationship with RegaLead, dating back over 20 years to his time working for another company. Since founding Sussex Glass Art three years ago, he says he has consistently relied on RegaLead’s products for his projects.
“I’ve been using them since I started my company,” said Mark. “Their range of products and quality make them a reliable choice, especially for a restoration project like this.”
The Process:
The restoration has been carried out in stages, with two of the four bays completed to date. The process includes:
- Carefully removing the old glass while preserving as much of the original structure as possible.
- Applying RegaLead’s coloured and obscured films to new double-glazed units.
- Recreating the intricate lead designs using RegaLead profiles.
- Installing the finished units to seamlessly integrate with the original architecture.
The outcome:
Although the project is still ongoing, the restored bays showcase the Art Deco elegance of Pearl Court, breathing new life into this historic building while ensuring it meets modern energy efficiency and security standards.
The use of RegaLead’s decorative films and profiles has allowed Sussex Glass Art to achieve a balance between authenticity and practicality.
The updated windows not only replicate the original designs but also provide the benefits of modern double-glazed units, including better insulation and soundproofing.
For RegaLead, this project underscores the versatility and quality of its products in delivering tailored solutions for heritage restorations.
As Mark Brown continues work on the final phases of Pearl Court, the collaboration between Sussex Glass Art and RegaLead ensures that this iconic building will remain a treasured landmark in Eastbourne for generations to come.
