Contractors: Datum CCM and Guild Floors
Location: Harley Street, Marylebone, London W1
Products: BN8 Brass Stair Nosing in Satin, with matching BTI49.5 infill
48 Harley Street is a Grade II listed townhouse on one of London’s best-known streets. It dates from the 18th century, with a stock brick frontage and a ground floor faced in green mosaic, added in later alterations. The listing also notes interior features that survive today, including a turned baluster staircase and Arts and Crafts plasterwork.
A building like this comes with constraints. Anything added during a refurbishment has to sit comfortably alongside the original fabric, not compete with it.
The building was changing from residential to commercial use, which brought new requirements for its stairs. Commercial occupancy means heavier footfall and a clear need for a safe, defined stair edge. The design team wanted that function without a modern, utilitarian look.
Brass was the natural answer. It has long been used in period interiors, it wears well, and it suits the character of a historic townhouse far better than an aluminium or stainless alternative.
We supplied our BN8 brass stair nosing in a satin finish. The softer, low-sheen surface gives a restrained look that works with the building’s heritage details, where a high polish could look out of place. We paired it with a matching BTI49.5 infill, so the finish carries through the whole nosing and the stair edge looks consistent from step to step.
We worked with Datum CCM and Guild Floors on the refurbishment, supplying products matched in finish and specification. On a listed building, where there’s little room to correct mistakes on site, getting the details right at the supply stage matters.
The conversion gives 48 Harley Street the stair safety and durability a commercial building needs, while the satin brass keeps the finish in character with a Grade II listed townhouse.