Shoreditch warehouse mezzanine + roof terrace

Brief

A creative-industry couple bought a 110m² shell warehouse flat on the upper level of a converted Victorian print works just off Brick Lane. The brief: maximise volume by adding a mezzanine, retain the original industrial character, and unlock the roof above for a private terrace.

Challenge

Three constraints layered. Freeholder (the warehouse management company) had strong design covenants on retention of exposed brick and original cast-iron columns. The mezzanine structure had to span 7m without intermediate supports to keep the kitchen-living below feeling open. The roof terrace needed full planning permission — Spitalfields Article 4 zone with sensitive neighbour overlooking onto Princelet Street.

Solution

Welded steel mezzanine frame fabricated off-site in two halves and craned through the warehouse goods lift route — eliminated street crane and night closures. Mezzanine spans column-to-column with three deep PFC beams clad in engineered oak for tactility. Master suite with walk-in closet and ensuite on the mezzanine; second bedroom carved off the main floor with a Crittall-style steel screen for light borrow. Roof terrace planning required pre-app with conservation officer — agreed a recessed terrace footprint 1.8m back from the front parapet (invisible from Princelet Street), with the existing brick parapet retained as the visible boundary. Composite decking on pedestal system over a new warm-roof TPO buildup. Frameless glass balustrade only at rear (away from public realm).

Outcome

Internal floor area effectively doubled (110m² → 195m² usable). Roof terrace delivered 150m² of outdoor amenity in a borough where private outdoor space is virtually non-existent. Original cast-iron columns and exposed brick on three walls retained as the design centrepiece. Planning approved first-time. Freeholder management company commented the design pack was the most considered they had reviewed.