Hi, I have an under-used space under my stairs which I intend to get fitted out with 'clever closets'. The space is currently partitioned off from the hall by a brick wall (not a stud wall). I expect the stairs are held up by a stringer as with a normal stair case, the reason for the wall being that there is a quarter turn near the top of the stairs and the newel post supporting this quarter turn is built into the wall forming the partition (see attached photos - one of a close up of the newel post and one of the full staircase). The question is, how much of the wall should I leave in place to hold up this newel post? Ideally I would leave 20cm of wall in place (so that I can maximise storage) - if this isn't enough would it help to screw a timber top to bottom of the wall?
Any advice would be gratefully received, thanks for reading.
Gavin
