Seaforth Large Scale Ground Floor Renovation
Battle Boulevard, Seaforth
Before Snapshot
Client Brief
The first stage build for this particular client included a bathroom renovation along with a walk in robe. This was completed a few years before the main renovation.
The main renovations included gutting the main living floor and removing all internal walls. We then built a steel supporting frame following engineering design. The newly renovated floor plan included a new kitchen, bathroom, walk in pantry, new floor to ceiling height windows and doors and a new deck to the rear overlooking the water.
Stage 3 was completed a year after stage 2, landscaping and pool area renovations were undertaken including rebuilding a 20 tonne stone boulder wall (by hand!) as well as pool filter box, pool surround tiled, turf laid and sandstone walls repaired and pointed.
Job Specifications
- New aluminium windows and doors were from Stegbar. V-lam hush glass was used to the rear to stop traffic noise from nearby Spit Bridge.
- Internal floorboards were Brushbox parquetry laid in a Herringbone pattern. Once sanded back and polished they perfectly matched the old floor.
- The bathroom was tiled floor to ceiling. Mosaic bright yellow floor tiles were used on the floor, a bold feature that looked great! The concealed cistern toilet is an luxurious touch.
- The kitchen had Caesarstone benchtops, with timber laminate to the lower cabinetry. The finger pull design looked very modern and the designer did a great job. The translucent glass splashback window was a nice addition also.
- The deck was tiled with glass balustrades. This ensured we maintained the view to the harbour and was a nice touch.
- The pool surround was tiled with travertine coping; Sir Walter premium turf was laid and all old sandstone was made new again via painstakingly repointing!
Project Obstacles
This build ran fairly smoothly. However the access did pose some problems.
The renovation and residence was located down a tight battle axe driveway. All deliveries were by small ute/truck only. Additionally the residence was then located down 80 or more stairs leading to the renovation ground level. A lot of manpower was used getting materials in and rubbish out.
The steel beams were a real challenge! Not only installing them but even to get them down the stairs using manpower alone. A crane was not an option.
The floor to ceiling windows and doors were tricky to install on this Seaforth renovation as a lintel had to be partly cut up into the floor frame above due to the height of the windows. It was a time consuming exercise to retrofit these window lintels.
The backyard landscaping was hands down the hardest week physically of my career. As a team we carried in by hand at least 12 tonne of rock, 5 tonne of drainage gravel and 4 tonne of top soil, as well as bricks, tiles and sand and cement to top it all off!
Project Duration
After Snapshot
On completion, this Seaforth renovation was a fantastic end result. The design and workmanship was spot on with the views to the harbour providing spectacular backdrop to this renovation.
The deck is a favourite spot to sit and relax or entertain for the client. Also the open plan living options facilitates entertaining which the client does often. Light now floods in from the large windows and doors.
The overall build was a real success, the renovation was considered for an award in the Master Builders Association awards – renovations category.