Cutty Sark Conservation Project

The Grade I Listed Cutty Sark, built in 1869, required urgent conservation following structural deterioration and a devastating fire in 2007. The project demanded a highly sensitive intervention to preserve as much original fabric as possible—up to 90% of the hull—while rectifying corrosion, replacing deteriorated frames and strengthening the structure. The ship also needed to be lifted three metres to create new visitor space and integrate modern accessibility features in a live heritage environment. 

G&T was appointed to provide Cost Management and Construction Management services, working under Buro Happold alongside Grimshaw as lead designers. We managed phased refurbishment logistics to minimise risk to original timbers, orchestrated procurement and budgeting for the complex steel support structure, glass canopy, new lifts, staircases and visitor facilities. Our rigorous cost control and supply-chain coordination ensured that conservation objectives were met without compromising structural integrity or architectural intent. 

Completed in 2012 and reopened by Her Majesty The Queen, the project successfully elevated the Cutty Sark onto a steel cradle within a glazed dry dock, allowing visitors to walk beneath the hull. The conservation restored the clipper’s original fabric, introduced new public amenities and improved accessibility, creating a dramatic museum experience. G&T’s continued oversight helped deliver a £50m heritage scheme that balanced technical excellence with public engagement and long-term preservation.