V&A Clock Tower refurbishment complete

V&A Clock Tower

Completed in 1883, the original harbour signal station and port captain’s office escaped demolition in 1975 and received a makeover in 1976, after which it was declared a national monument in 1978. A further restoration of the Clock Tower was done in the late 1990s.

Indawo managing director Geoffrey Jäck notes that the precinct is a busy one with local and international tourists visiting the V&A Waterfront. On top of this, the Waterfront is a working harbour, which adds to the pressure placed on external structures in and around the area. Redecoration at a tourist attraction also adds to the challenges that face refurbishment companies. As such, safety is important for workers and visitors. Scaffolding was the safest means of access to the higher levels of the tower.

“The project involved the complete redecoration of the tower and restoring it to its original state,” says Jäck, “including the right colour choice to ensure the original aesthetic appeal is maintained. The lead roof sheeting was also replaced. This is roof sheeting that is specifically cut to size and installed. A bird deterrent was also installed. During redecoration, the production team had to contend with high consumer traffic and winds that often is a challenge for painters in areas with continuous consumer traffic.”

The external structure was repainted, and the wooden staircase and balcony refurbished and restored.