While the building’s distinctive red-brick façade and corner bay windows will remain largely unchanged to passers-by, the building will be comprehensively retrofitted with natural material internal wall insulation, timber-framed double-glazed windows, and wood fibre and natural slate roofing. The apartments will be heated via Exhaust Air Heat Pumps which innovatively do not require external units but deliver low carbon all electric heating and ventilation. To cross subsidise this low carbon approach, the project includes a sensitive rooftop extension that will create an additional three-bedroom apartment.

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The approved plans convert the upper floors and part of the ground floor from commercial to residential use, delivering seven high-quality apartments, each featuring open-plan living spaces, modern kitchens and generous internal storage in excess of NDSS. A mix of one-, two-,and three-bedroom layouts ensures the building will offer homes suitable for abroad range of residents, rather than being a monoculture. The apartments are all build-to-rent, with a long lasting specification which also stands out from the crowd – with cake-like bathrooms, icing inspired details and a colour scheme inspired by the three generations of baking that occurred in the building.

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Above the rear wing, the newly approved single-storey upward extension will house a spacious mansard apartment, designed for five occupants. Alongside the internal transformations, the project includes upgrades to external features to enhance the building’s appearance while respecting its heritage, including two new shop fronts at ground floor to create a more active façade with greater employment opportunities through an extension of the high street.

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Situated within a lively neighbourhood of shops, restaurants and homes, the project continues Office S&M’s commitment to delivering imaginative, people-centred architecture that enriches local communities.

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