Working with long standing developer client Emarek Ltd, the project was an office to residential conversion. We agreed with West Berkshire Planning Department that the works fell under permitted development taking advantage of the recovering property market.

At the heart of Reading, the project transforms an early stage Post Modern brick building into a series of contemporary residential apartments utilising crisp zinc panelling and projecting steel and glass balconies to contrast with the heavy appearance of the existing brick reveals; evoking an Art Deco style.

This language was reflected in the interior design throughout the project with a tireless client intent on providing the very best New York style loft living in the UK.

The scheme provides a mixture of 1 and 2 bed flats topped out by 2 luxury 3 bed penthouses with the ground floor retained as office use. Prior to completion, 13 of the 14 units were sold and the office space has been since let, indicating the value good design gives to a previously tired and unvalued asset.

• Office conversion creating distinctive apartments
• Permitted development opportunity
• Central urban location close to railway station
• Maximising asset value of existing property