Portland Stone: From the Jurassic Coast to 25 Baker St. W1

Portland stone is 150 million years old at its base-bed, and is regarded as the finest limestone within the United Kingdom. Throughout 2024, 300 tonnes will be transported from the Isle of Portland, Dorset, to Laing O’Rourke’s Centre of Excellence for Modern Construction (CEMC) in Nottinghamshire, where it is installed onto a concrete backing before heading to 25 Baker St. W1. On site, it is meticulously fixed to the façade like an architectural jigsaw. It was a privilege to capture the beginning of its journey on a recent visit to Albion Stone’s quarry.