No Man's Fort

Built in the 19th century as part of Britain's sea defences, this Grade II listed fort sits in the Solent between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. It has recently been transformed into a 22-bedroom hotel with a helipad, hot tubs, a spa and its own putting green.

Working with the main developers, Armstrong Build carried out the structural steelwork within the fort itself: forming structural openings through walls up to eight feet thick, incorporating new fire escapes and stabilising the building, all within a short timeframe. The building's historical significance and unique location called for careful planning, so that the modern additions integrated with the original architecture while meeting contemporary safety and engineering standards.

Introducing essential fire escapes into a structure of this age demanded a balance between safety regulations and preservation, with the new elements blended into the historic fabric without compromising the architectural character of the fort.