The area of the Alexander Palace which was virtually destroyed were the rooms occupied by the last Imperial Family. What remains is the Empress' Corner Salon (the light fitting is not original to that room, but is from the Parade Rooms - TSM have the other two): a reconstructed - but with original elements - Nicholas II's Formal Study: Nicholas II's Reception Room - virtually in its entirety - including its original panelling and ceiling - with the exception of furnishings - the wallcoverings and drapes are original to the room, as are the drapes in the next door room - Nicholas II's 'Working Study'. The ceiling in what during the last reign was a space divided to form Alexandra Feodorovna's dressing room/bathroom/lady-in-waiting's room/ mezzanine wardrobe/Grand Duchess's Dining Room, has its original ceiling intact. In all other rooms, not only are the original furnishings, paintings and decorative pieces missing, in the case of the Maple Room and Pallisander Room, accesses have been reconfigured. None of the plaster mouldings, doors or timber work survive.
The 'Quarenghi rooms' have all their plasterwork intact, the faux marbre lined walls are intact, pillars and pilasters likewise, original fireplaces in situ, in the Portrait Hall the original hangers for the portraits are still in place. The doors to the Semi-Circular Hall are not original. The French doors and windows of this room survive - the family's last exit route from the Alexander Palace.
I have been in part of the Right Wing. From what I saw, the original plasterwork survives. The rooms are disposed as they were in 1917. I have been told that the original fireplaces survive, certainly in the English suite and in Ella's rooms, as do the fireplaces on the upper floor. However, the Right Wing has its own very costly, and unlikely to be addressed problems. Decontamination.
Perhaps not of interest in general, but an area which I found particularly fascinating was the basement. Here it is possible to see the intricacies of the structure, and it remains unchanged, including the services. The basement appears completely sound and dry.
So, at least I can confirm that the Alexander Palace stands on a firm foundation. Chimneys have previously been removed. The entire roof structure (including the 'new roof' over the Family Wing) requires replacement - this probably includes the roof timbers - all door and window lintels, window cills, door and window frames gutters, downpipes, ballustrade must be replaced: the entire plaster should be removed - it is 'bossing' due to water penetration between plaster and brick - bricks regrouted and plaster replaced using original lime plaster render and the entire structure repainted. These are the priorities and should be achieved before work on the interior of the Alexander Palace is addressed. The costs, even Russian costs, for this work alone will probably be of the order of a minimum of $25,000,000.
Like Sarushka, I have a problem with 'authentic reproduction'. This is a contradiction in terms. When it comes to any work on the interiors, I can see the attraction of restoring (please God, preserving) the Quarenghi rooms. All the elements are there and costs will not be prohibitive. I have already expressed my concern vis-a-vis decisions regarding Quarenghi's Concert Hall.
The Family Wing is an altogether different proposition. Excluding areas previously mentioned, this would require what probably can only be termed 'authentic reproduction'. The costs are daunting and the will is questionable. However, the Maple Room alone is virtually irreplaceable. Despite what the purists might say - which was really criticsm for criticsm's sake, and fundamentally anti-Alexandra - the Maple Room was probably the most unique room in the whole of Europe - probably the world. It was the finest example of Art Nouveau/Style Moderne/Jugendstil ever created.
Only after the structure is made sound, should work commence on the interiors. Whether this is how it is priorised, we will have to wait to see.
tsaria
