Spitalfields warehouse flat — heritage-led full renovation

Brief

A creative-industry couple bought a 95m² second-floor flat in a converted Victorian wool warehouse off Brick Lane. The flat had been split badly in the 1990s with stud walls, stippled ceilings and PVC double glazing. They wanted to reinstate the warehouse character (brick, steel, daylight) while bringing thermal and acoustic performance up to 2026 standards.

Challenge

The building is Grade II listed and sits in the Spitalfields Conservation Area. Listed Building Consent was required for every internal alteration — including stud wall removal, replacement windows, plaster repair and services rerouting. Original timber floor joists had spans up to 5.4m and showed historic deflection. PVC windows had to be replaced with slim-section secondary-glazed steel sashes to satisfy both heritage and acoustic requirements (the flat overlooks a busy delivery street).

Solution

We commissioned a measured heritage survey and submitted a phased LBC strategy: Phase 1 covered demolition and structural strengthening, Phase 2 covered window and finish specifications. Stud walls came out exposing six original brick piers and the steel joist grid; brick was lightly repointed in lime mortar and left exposed. Two existing timber floor joists were sistered with mild steel flitch plates rather than replaced — retaining all original timber. PVC windows were replaced with custom slim-frame steel sashes (Crittall MW40) plus concealed magnetic secondary glazing inside the reveal. Crittall-style internal partitions divided the master bedroom from the open-plan main space. Underfloor heating ran on a low-profile aluminium overlay to avoid raising historic timber floor levels.

Outcome

LBC granted at 11 weeks after one round of clarification (the conservation officer specifically asked to verify the secondary glazing was fully reversible). Site build completed in 14 weeks. Acoustic testing post-completion measured a 38 dB external-internal reduction against the original 11 dB. Featured in two architecture publications. Resale agent valued the uplift at £285,000 against £142,000 spend.