The George

The George in Rye is a historic coaching inn formed from a cluster of interlinked listed buildings at the heart of the ancient citadel, that was subject to a devastating fire in July 2019.

A complex restoration project began involving many craftsman and artisan contractors to bring the building back to life. Our clients set a sustainable design ethos from the start with a focus on the careful renovation of the existing building fabric combined with salvaged and reused materials; for instance, the original ballroom floor has found a new home in the waiters’ station.

Our approach was to celebrate and express the history of the structure through a respectful restoration process, whilst incorporating sympathetically designed additions and changes to the buildings.

The main building’s roof and rooms underneath were severely damaged from the fire and had to be entirely rebuilt. The eldest parts of the roof (16th century) were partly rebuilt using traditional materials and methods to replicate the original frames and by exposing some of the charred timbers we were able to gain a “new historic layer”.

The fire damage presented the possibility to improve the flow of the public spaces making this Listed building accessible to all. The organization of spaces around a new “spine” which sensitively incorporates a platform lift connecting the 4 different levels helped achieve this, along with a new level threshold glazed lobby to the courtyard as an infill under the current walkway to above rooms.

Project TypeCommercialLocationRye, East SussexAwardsSussex Heritage Trust 2023: Commercial Award WinnerPhotographerAshley Gendek