Completing a property refurbishment is often one of the most rewarding experiences in a person’s life, and the purpose behind it can be even more significant. This was certainly the case for our clients.
They are a professional young family who wanted their Grade II listed penthouse renovation completed before the arrival of a new family member. Their property is an old church conversion that has undergone a unique renovation, which presented several challenging structural issues.
Located in a street frequented by music legends and their fans, this luxurious penthouse refurbishment carries a neutral spiritual significance.
Working on Grade II listed buildings can be complex, but we have extensive experience in navigating such challenging environments. We meticulously plan these projects in advance and adhere to the regulations and guidelines set by English Heritage.
After completely stripping out the area, our first task was to provide structural support for the existing concrete slabs in the two adjoining towers.
Next, we diamond drilled through the concrete slab to create access to both towers.
Beyond the walnut and oak staircase, we refurbished two additional penthouse rooms within the adjoining church towers. These rooms were luxurious enough to serve as either a home office or a bedroom fit for a Beatle. We installed two circular staircases to save space within the home. The entrance to each of the luxurious tower spaces features a hydraulic trap door at the top of the stairwell, which functions as a floor when closed.
Another essential element of the renovation was the installation of a mezzanine—an additional floor level—beneath the existing dome roof in the center of the apartment.
Space is a luxury, and we have added an additional floor that now hosts the master bedroom.
The staircase leading to the bedroom features a beautiful combination of walnut and whitewashed oak.
We meticulously designed high-quality cabinets that are securely attached to the walls in compliance with safety and historic regulations. The premium walnut cabinets create new storage spaces throughout the penthouse, featuring luxurious smooth finishes and sliding doors.
Bespoke furniture extends into the kitchen area, with a standout island bench that includes a wine fridge, sink, and stainless steel worktop to enhance the lifestyle potential of the space.
Additionally, carefully installed frameless glazing enhances the sense of openness, allowing a view down into the main living area.
Although the cover of the Beatles’ album named after this road sparked rumors that Paul McCartney was dead, this luxury penthouse refurbishment was actually a celebration of new life. The pressure was on to complete the church refurbishment in time for this new arrival.
Facing unexpected building delays is common for any historic structure with difficult access, but we managed to overcome these challenges by balancing our experience with the demands of the project.
Given that this church in St John’s Wood has been present through the Beatles’ album launch and has witnessed the evolution of the EMI Recording Studios into Abbey Road Studios, it was essential that any refurbishment of the building matched the unrivaled prestige of its location.
A word from our Clients:
Our build definitely would not have turned out as amazing as it had without them, as they did much more than just build. They helped design and used a lot of common sense when they were under time pressure and didn’t have guidance from us.
We had quite a bit of work done, with a mezzanine being installed, the bathrooms rebuilt, kitchen renovated, access to 2 office/spare rooms built and much more. They constructed and installed inbuilt wardrobes and storage as well as designed the inbuilt desks for the offices, and the trapdoor access to the offices.
We will be using them again when the time arises, and would definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for a builder with an eye for quality and design.
