This was a sensitive and listed building, being the historic venue of the dreaded “Middlesex Sessions”, and was where many criminals saw the last of their freedom. There is a special staircase to bring persons up from the cells (which stretch under Clerkenwell Green in front of the building) to the court in front of the magnificent Judge’s banquet hall.
On completion of the 3 year long refit, the building was to be occupied by Ennismore, the hotel chain, as well as a separate residency on the upper floors. The requirement for access control and door entry system without intrusive wiring and the limited work allowed to the walls was a big challenge and required careful liaison between the landlord, the builder, English Heritage, the interior contractor for the tenant, their electrical contractor, and Anchor.
Anchor decided to use the Paxton10 system and with special order Urmet entry panels at outer and inner doors. Fitting and finishes were carefully chosen to tie in with existing building fittings from hundreds of years ago. Working with the original doors, the stringent rules were adhered to by manufacturing brass fore-plates for special electric locking devices situated flush in the door frames.
CCTV system was discreetly installed to provide Ennismore with coverage of their internal areas yet not the landlord’s zone or common areas.
The intruder alarm solution built by Anchor used a Texecom wireless type to avoid using cabling from the doors and windows, and the thick walls and multiple floors required a careful network of wireless devices.
Anchor delivered a fully integrated security ecosystem that met the strict constraints of a sensitive listed building—without intrusive cabling or compromise to historic fabric. The finished installation provides secure, modern access control and door entry at key thresholds, with bespoke finishes that blend seamlessly with original ironmongery and doors. Discreet CCTV delivers the tenant’s required coverage while respecting landlord and common-area boundaries, and the wireless intruder alarm provides reliable protection across thick walls and multiple floors. Close liaison with all stakeholders ensured compliance with heritage requirements and a smooth handover for occupation by the tenant and the upper-floor residency.
