Once the creative home to the legendary Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Gainsborough Studios in London has long been synonymous with tension and drama. But for residents facing the uncertainty of unsafe cladding several years ago, the suspense became too real.
Four years ago, HartDixon were appointed to help turn that story around.
Appointed as Project Manager, Employer’s Agent, and Principal Designer, we oversaw the successful delivery of a £7 million external wall remediation programme across three occupied residential blocks. Every stage of the project was carefully planned and executed to minimise disruption, ensuring residents could remain in their homes while safety and compliance were restored.
In an added twist to the tale, Gainsborough Studios West also made history as the first non-local authority scheme in the UK to obtain government ACM funding, a landmark achievement made possible through our expertise in navigating the complex funding landscape and managing high-profile remediation schemes.
Since the completion of Gainsborough Studios, the national landscape around building safety has tightened further. The government has introduced a statutory Duty to Remediate, meaning building owners and social landlords will soon be legally obligated to act, you can find more on this in our expert insight article, here.
At HartDixon, our experience at Gainsborough Studios and across numerous other schemes has reinforced that truly successful remediation balances three critical factors:
Compliance – ensuring every element meets rigorous fire safety and legislative standards while anticipating the next wave of regulatory change.
Cost – securing and managing funding efficiently, maintaining commercial transparency, and aligning stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Client (and Resident) Satisfaction – recognising that every scheme affects people’s homes and lives; communicating openly and empathetically to rebuild trust and confidence.
At Gainsborough Studios, these principles shaped every decision. Early collaboration between our technical and commercial teams ensured compliance was embedded from the outset, while proactive engagement with government bodies secured funding ahead of programme. Clear, consistent communication with residents kept the project moving safely and smoothly, turning a challenging, high-profile scheme into a benchmark for best-practice delivery.
As new deadlines loom and expectations heighten, HartDixon continues to lead in cladding remediation, building safety and funding strategy, helping clients move from uncertainty to assurance.
Contact Simon Waterhouse, our leading cladding expert, today to find out how we can support your cladding remediation project and help to meet these new government deadlines with certainty.
