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Located at 47 Guildford Street in Luton’s Plaiters Lea Conservation Area, Hat Works is a three-storey Grade II listed building constructed between 1840 and 1850. The property is characterised by its distinctive Luton grey brick façade, stucco detailing, and Welsh slate roof. Originally a domestic dwelling and office, it became central to Luton’s straw hat industry.
Throughout its history, it has housed a number of notable occupants, including straw plait merchants Messrs Henry Durler and Otto Suter, and later the hat manufacturing firm Herbert Brown Ltd. The building remained in use for millinery purposes until 2006, after which it stood vacant. It is now undergoing careful restoration as part of The Culture Trust’s Hat District regeneration project.
The project
Working to a 16-week programme, TRC Contracts supplied over 30 bespoke windows to match the building’s original features. The scope included like-for-like replacement of heritage-style box sash and casement windows in hardwood.
All windows were manufactured to meet stringent conservation requirements, including slim sidelight double-glazed units, individual solid glazing bars, and the use of heritage putty. The glazing achieved a Ug value of 1.5 w/m²K while maintaining the authentic appearance demanded by the building’s listed status.
Supporting heritage with traditional craftsmanship and modern performance
TRC Contracts’ Heritage box sash and casement windows are specifically designed for listed buildings and conservation areas, making them ideal for the Hat Works restoration. Each unit is crafted to replicate traditional detailing, with modern performance built in. The box sash windows incorporate traditional cords and weights where required, while maintaining the slim sightlines and detailing that suit period façades.
Casement windows were built with the same care, offering timber authenticity with the benefit of improved energy performance. By combining historical accuracy with durable, high-performance materials, TRC Contracts helped preserve the character of the Hat Works while supporting its modern reuse.
