This air rights development added two new apartments above commercial premises on Battersea’s fashionable Northcote Road.

The Brief

Our clients owned a flat above a pair of commercial units on the famous Northcote Road in Battersea. The original two-storey property did not sit well with its neighbours; to the right stood a tall three-storey Victorian terrace featuring large sash windows and decorative brickwork and corbelling. The property to the left of the site also featured decorative brick string and dentil courses.

Our client’s property was finished with an off-white render, and the floor to ceiling heights were notably smaller, which resulted in small window apertures. It was apparent from the outset that, treated sensitively, there was scope to remove the existing first floor flat and add additional stories above.

The clients’ brief was for us to prepare a scheme that maximised this site’s potential and guide them through the development process. 

The Solution 

To create three desirable flats, we needed to find space for access without losing any existing internal footprint. We achieved this by designing a projecting bay at the rear to accommodate a flight of stairs. We were then able to create 2x two-bedroom apartments and a studio flat, where previously there had been one apartment.

An essential element of the project was to add to the street scene and design sensitively to the context of the side. We, therefore, paid careful attention to the detailing on the front elevation to ensure it matched the adjoining terrace; the contractor expertly recreated brick pilasters and corbelling along with traditional timber sashes.

Our team provided a full architectural service from RIBA Stages 1-6. This service included everything from feasibility to practical completion, including a full planning application and contract administration. 

The Result

The finished scheme created two additional units for our client and significantly enhanced the aesthetics of the parade and the wider street scene.