Award winner for best conversion
Boot up
Homebuilders have been converting redundant office buildings to desirable new homes for many years, but few have managed to achieve such a transformation as is seen here, where a drab slab of 1960s architecture that was once the headquarters of International Computers Limited (ICL) has been totally changed into a contemporary residential building of shimmering glass and light.
Always referred to as the ICL Tower, its correct name was Bridge House, and although at the time it was built it provided state-of-the-art working conditions for the staff of its predecessor ICT in 1962, what was Britain’s largest computer company when it was set up in 1968 was eventually sold to Fujitsu in 1990 and Bridge House was finally vacated in 1997 when the building was put into receivership.
It soon became a dark brooding hulk, which most people – including English Heritage - wanted to see torn down, but it was bought from the receiver by St George, who wanted to convert and extend the tower into 85 flats, a hotel and two restaurants. Wandsworth’s planning committee twice rejected the applications on the grounds of overdevelopment and because it wanted to produce a development brief for the whole area.
When the second planning application was refused in February 1998 (after a hasty archaeological survey confirmed that there had been a large house and garden on the site from 1635 until 1893) St George went to appeal. Petitions were drawn up by objectors, questions were asked in the House of Commons, and a public inquiry was held in January 1999, resulting in a ruling in December 1999 that the council was right to have refused permission..
In the end, after years of wrangling over revised schemes, the Secretary of State gave consent on 24 May 2000 for the 16-storey tower to be converted and extended to provide a mixed-use development of 67 apartments, with a groundfloor restaurant, first-floor offices and basement parking for 41 cars. Even then, the application for detailed planning consent made on 26 January 2001 was not finally approved (with conditions) until 31 July 2002.
The end result justifies the long-drawn-out fight. As Stephen Embrey, managing director of St George South London, says: “The delivery of successful regeneration projects is highly complex, requiring professional management supported by architectural, engineering and communications skills. Putney Wharf is both a stunning and successful riverside development that is now being enjoyed by residents and the community alike.”
The main reason for this is the skilful way that architects Patel Taylor totally altered the original building beyond recognition, by stripping it back to its original concrete frame, adding a semi-circular steel-framed extension at the front with glazed curtain walling and wraparound balconies, and recladding the rest of the building at the back with handsome terracotta panels and a proprietary white render. The detailing is crisp and attractive.
In addition, the upper floors of the tower were stepped back, and a magnificent three-storey penthouse was added, taking the building up to 19 storeys. The penthouse was quickly sold for £2.7 million. Other apartments started from £399,950. Gains for the community include an extended riverside walk and landscaped piazza, and an improved setting for the historic parish church of St Mary at the southern of Putney Bridge.
The gains for the new residents of Putney Wharf are also significant. The building has completely new services, including new lifts; the views up and down the Thames from the new curved balconies are immeasurably better than from the old offices; and new internal corridors have been created to improve access to the apartments. And of course there is also the new riverside Rocket Restaurant, which provides more enjoyment for residents and public alike than the former office workers had when they stepped outside for a cigarette even if it was raining.
HomeBuilder: ST GEORGE SOUTH LONDON LIMITED
St George House, 7 Imperial Road, Fulham, London SW6 2AN
Tel 020 7471 4444 Fax 020 7471 4440
Contact: Stephen Embrey, Managing Director
Email: stephen.embrey@stgeorgesl.com
Website: www.stgeorgeplc.comts.co.uk
Architects: PATEL TAYLOR
53 Rawstorne Street, Islington, London EC1V 7NQ
Tel 020 7278 2323 Fax 020 7278 6242
Contact: Pankaj Patel, Partner
Email: pankaj@pateltaylor.co.uk
