Royal Clarence Hotel

3D laser scanning one of Exeter's most famous buildings during its restoration after the 2016 fire.

1769Built as the Assembly Rooms

2016Destroyed by fire

£17mRestoration approved 2022

2027Due for completion

The project

Surveying the Royal Clarence was a challenging and rewarding job. Scanning the building during its restoration gives the project team an accurate record of what survives, and preserves a digital record of an important part of the city.

Cathedral Yard, Exeter3D laser scanning

The story so far

From Assembly Rooms to point cloud

1769
Built as the Assembly Rooms
Built by William Mackworth Praed. Often cited as the first building in England to be called a 'hotel'.
28 October 2016
Destroyed by fire
A fire spread from a neighbouring building – the largest fire in Exeter since the Second World War. Before the fire the hotel had 53 bedrooms.
October 2022
Restoration approved
A £17 million plan to rebuild the original façade and convert the building into 23 apartments with a restaurant and bar.
1 April 2025
Work starts on site
Restoration work begins on site.
During the restoration
Benchmark Surveys
Our 3D laser scan
Phased scanning, planned around fire damage and live construction. We return as new areas open up, building a complete, up-to-date model.
Plan view of the scan
April 2027
Due for completion
The restored building is due to finish in April 2027.

The challenge

Fire damage and live construction restricted access and visibility.

What made it hard

Fire damage
Live construction site
Restricted access and visibility

How we approached it

Careful planning
Phased scanning
Close coordination with other teams on site
Return visits as new areas open up

The scan data

Inside the point cloud

Four views of the scan data. Each clip plays as you reach it – select one to enlarge.

01Point cloud fly-through

02Façade scan

03Inside the shell

04Plan view of the scan

Deliverables

What we delivered

Services on this project

3D Laser Scanning 3D Heritage Conservation Measured Building Surveys

01
Point clouds
3D laser scan data of the building, captured during its restoration.
02
Phased scanning
Planned around fire damage, restricted access and live construction.
03
Return visits
We return as new areas open up, building a complete, up-to-date model.
04
An accurate record
The project team has an accurate record of what survives.
05
A digital record
An important part of the city, preserved digitally.