Gallions Regeneration Project

The Gallions Regeneration Project involved the remediation and recladding of five residential and two mixed-use buildings in London’s historic Royal Wharf area. Led by Guildmore, the project required the removal of combustible cladding systems and their replacement with a fully fire rated solution. Each building, spanning six to nine floors, underwent full facade remediation, with the finished envelopes offering heat loss reduction and full compliancy to Building Regulations. 

More than 2,400 square metres of Argeton terracotta cladding was utilised on this development, as it was able to provide a close visual match to the original cladding product that was used, whilst offering an A1 fire rating and BBA certification (22/6507). One of the largest recladding projects in the UK, this was an exciting and significant scheme for our cladding team to be a part of. 

With the facades of the buildings a mix of render and terracotta cladding, it was important to the project team that the replacement materials provided a close visual match to the original finish. Tampa Argeton tiles in Apricot Beige were specified for the development, as they could provide a similar finish, whilst offering desirable testing and credentials. These terracotta tiles had also recently been successfully used on the nearby Navigation and Windward Court remediation project. 

Over 300 homes remained occupied during the regeneration of the five residential buildings, meaning that disruption had to be kept to a minimum. The site’s riverside location and close proximity to London City Airport also posed logistical challenges, meaning that scaffold and crane heights had to be carefully coordinated, whilst dams were used to temporarily control water levels around the waterfront blocks. 

The quick installation of Argeton tiles meant that they were suitable for this project with its tight time constraints and need for minimal disturbance. Frost, scratch and UV-colour resistant, the tiles also have a service life in excess of 35 years in normal UK conditions, meaning that they shouldn’t require any maintenance or repair for years to come. 

This project is a great example of a complex remediation scheme that has been carefully considered to improve the safety and wellbeing of residents, as well as the thermal performance of the buildings. A testament to the hard work that went into this development, since completion the project has been shortlisted at the Facade Awards 2025 for ‘Best use of a rainscreen system using glass, ceramics or stone’. 

To find out more about Argeton terracotta cladding, click here.