Link House

Location:
Uxbridge Road, West London
Type:
Office to residential conversion and new build rooftop extension

Link House looked like a fairly typical low-rise 1950s office building when we first saw it. In other words it was not particularly easy on the eye. The building was tired, outdated and desperately in need of work.

Our clients instructed us to convert it from a 3-storey commercial block to a 4-storey residential one containing 20 high-spec apartments, to completely transform the building’s façade to one that might attract the sort of buyers they were hoping to find and to upgrade the energy efficiency of the building to meet far stricter residential requirements.

PROJECT CHALLENGES

The primary challenge on this project was the transformation of the façade of the building. There was no getting around it – the building was not attractive, so we had to strip away the outer layer and reform it into a desirable, aesthetically pleasing, residential block, something we’re proud to say we have achieved.

As a reinforced concrete frame building it presented a challenge when it came to meeting current thermal targets as concrete is an efficient conductor of heat and cold. Therefore, we needed to cover the entire exterior of the building in insulation and to ensure that it was Class 0 rated for the spread of fire to meet safety standards.

The building was literally stripped out to its bare bones with the removal of all internal walls and utilities. This in turn created a further challenge as there was a vast amount of waste that had to be removed from the site, something which required a significant amount of coordination with different trades.

WHAT WAS INVOLVED

The strip back to shell was a sizeable undertaking – walls, windows, everything had to go. We then constructed a brand-new storey on top of the building to house three of the block’s largest new apartments. Each was finished to a high spec and benefits from private frameless glass balustrade balconies.

The façade was transformed. Gone was the tired office block look and in its place we formed a stylish facing with new render and brickwork, new aluminium rainscreen cladding and aluminium windows to give it a clean, contemporary, modern look.

THE RESULTS

The end result, after 14 months of work, was a block of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments ranging from 450sq ft to 900sq ft in size. The estate agent selling the properties described them as “built with the highest levels of workmanship, finish and specification” and that they offered “luxurious open-plan living space” in a “secure, high energy efficient apartment building”. Each apartment was finished with granite work surfaces, stainless steel appliances, bespoke wooden doors, double glazing, strip wood flooring and luxurious fully tiled bathrooms.

WE WOULD LOVE TO TALK

To book an appointment to discuss your project needs call us on 020 8361 1238 or use the form on our contact page to email us.