BBLconverted a pair of semi-detached Victorian properties at Pelham Road, Gravesend to become 14 new flats for Hyde Housing as affordable rented properties. The Hyde Group are a new client to BBL, and one of the UK’s leading social housing providers, with an asset base of circa 49,000 mixed tenure properties located across London, the South East, East of England and the East Midlands.
The project started with the demolition and enabling works phase with the whole project completed 2 months ahead of programme. The scope of works was complex, and included the part demolition and conversion of the existing Victorian properties, and in addition the construction of a large three storey new build extension at the rear.
The existing properties sat within a conservation area, and were prominent within the main street scene. Internally the existing properties have undergone major structural alterations, whilst remaining sympathetic in retaining and enhancing the existing external features of these historic buildings.
The existing timber box sash windows were retained and refurbished, and furthermore upgraded to include new double glazed sashes without compromise to the original character features. The face brickwork has been refurbished to incorporate segmental brick arches and banding details to match the existing where 1st Quality Spanish Slates were installed to the new and existing roof. New build construction techniques were used in the form of concrete plank floor, blockwork cavity walls, a through coloured render system, ‘A’ rated PVC-u double glazed windows and doors without detrimental effect to the character of the existing building.
The design of the rear new build element has been designed in a way to be simple and minimalistic thus enhancing the beauty of the existing Victorian structure and features.
Overall, this redevelopment can be seen as a flagship development for both BBL & Hyde Housing and a great example where new and old buildings can be integrated to become a high quality housing project in line with the planning constraints whilst enhancing the property to become a statement building in Gravesend.
Finally this project is a testament to BBL ability to be able to deliver complex and sensitive projects on a design and build basis beyond the expectations of their client.