Crystal Palace Park

After standing for over 170 years, the Italian Terraces had suffered significant deterioration and were placed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. The regeneration works aim to restore the historic stonework across walls, balustrades and staircases, while introducing improved drainage and step-free access throughout the terraces.

Taylor Maxwell was first engaged by the appointed landscape contractor Maylim in May 2025 to identify a suitable material capable of accurately replicating the original Victorian stonework. Vobster Wet Cast Bathstone was selected due to its ability to faithfully reproduce the appearance and intricate detailing of the existing masonry while meeting the performance demands of a modern restoration project.

More than £500,000 of Vobster Wet Cast Bathstone was supplied for the project, including bespoke cast elements such as Copings, Pier Caps, Balustrades, Bottles and Closed panels. These components were used across the Italian Terraces to restore the historic walls and balustrades, ensuring the renewed landscape remains true to its original character.

Early site meetings between Taylor Maxwell, Vobster Architectural, and Maylim, enabled samples to be reviewed and assessed against the existing stonework, ensuring an accurate match could be achieved. Vobster Architectural provided extensive technical expertise, producing bespoke CAD details and advising on the design, mould-making and manufacture of the complex stone profiles.

A factory visit to Vobster was arranged for the architects and contractor, providing valuable insight into the casting and finishing processes behind the production of the architectural stone. This collaborative approach proved instrumental in establishing realistic lead times and refining design details as the project progressed.

Through close collaboration between all parties, production schedules were carefully managed to maintain programme requirements, with the final order being successfully met in June 2026 to meet the client's completion date.

The restoration of the Italian Terraces forms part of a wider regeneration programme designed to protect Crystal Palace Park's unique heritage while creating a more accessible and welcoming environment for visitors.

Restoration works included hundreds of metres of scaffolding, the repair of historic stonework and the restoration of balustrades across the terraces. The project aims to preserve one of London's most important historic landscapes while ensuring it remains safe, accessible and resilient for future generations.

Delivered to an exceptionally high standard, the project received outstanding feedback from the client and wider stakeholder team, with no quality complaints recorded across the supplied stonework.

For Taylor Maxwell and Vobster Architectural, contributing to the restoration of such a historically significant site has been both a privilege and an opportunity to showcase the quality, craftsmanship and technical expertise that underpin the manufacturing of Vobster Wet Cast Bathstone.