We’re delighted to announce that Hale has won the contract to complete a landmark contemporary country estate in Cranleigh, Surrey. This exceptional project marks our first collaboration with the award-winning Eldridge London architects and will expand our portfolio of unique high-end residential projects.
The 18,000sq ft property exceeds the extremely high bar of ‘Paragraph 84’ planning policy to gain consent: a policy which only allows homes of truly exceptional architectural quality to be built in countryside locations. The property owners have dreamt about this home for years and want to a leave an architectural legacy.
The estate design takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape, nestled betweenwoodland, water and meadows, with a backdrop of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The layout and large glazing make the most of the vistas and includes several distinct wings for generous living areas, a swimming pool, guest accommodation and recreational spaces.
Under our pre-construction services agreement, we’ll be undertaking the M&E and fit outnow that another contractor has completed the concrete shell and glazing. The project presents technical challenges that play to our strengths in project management and coordination.
We’ll install Portuguese limestone stone cladding externally and an impressive, curved cantilever limestone staircase which will serve as the centre point of the cruciform floor plate. The sheer size of the project means we’re already ordering vast amounts of materials to secure quality and delivery.
Other elements to note include passive ventilation systems, sophisticated home automation and a lift for the three-storey property. We’ll also design and install a water source heat pump system using water from the lake. Cool water will circulate in the air conditioning system,drawing out excess heat to warm the swimming pool.
Christian Hale, Managing Director, said: “This project represents everything we love about fine building: exceptional design, complex technical solutions, and the coordination skills needed to deliver something truly special. Working with Eldridge London is tremendously exciting. The huge scale and sophistication of this estate, from the 2,000 square metres of tiling to the curved Portuguese limestone staircase, will showcase our capability to deliver projects of outstanding scope and quality.”
We’re aiming to start on site in September 2025, with completion earmarked for winter 2026.