The restoration of a derelict empty home in Llangollen saw North Wales Housing beat off tough competition to be awarded the prestigious gold accolade for Best Renovation at the annual What House? Awards last year.
Gold – North Wales Housing – The Willows, Llangollen, Denbighshire
‘The Willows’, a grade II listed building in the heart of the town, has been extensively refurbished and re-developed as social housing by North Wales Housing in partnership with Denbighshire County Council.
“The Willows is not a typical social housing scheme,” said What House? judges. “Attention to detail and good levels of craftsmanship are apparent throughout. Crucial factors in any conversion are the careful use of space and the means by which new accommodation is created so we were delighted to see rooms of a decent size.”
The Willows was only one of two Welsh developments to be presented with an award on the day. The property was purchased from local developer Castlemead Homes who carried out the construction works under the specialist architectural guidance of Adrian Jones Associates. After a nine month restoration programme, three two-bedroom apartments were created for local people.
Funding for the renovation was sourced from the Denbighshire County Council through a commuted sum received through the planning system, as well as from the Welsh Government and CADW. Innovative close working between North Wales Housing and the Local Authority’s Planning and Housing Teams was essential to ensure that the success of this scheme.
Speaking after the glittering awards ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel last November, Phil Danson of North Wales Housing said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be presented with this award. The What House awards are held in high esteem across the industry and the level of entries across the board was exceptional – to see The Willows recognised in this way and at this level is fantastic.”
Silver – Halebourne Group – Elvaston Mews, South Kensington, London, SW7
Elvaston Mews has seen the conversion of a two-storey, brick-built Victorian mews building into a four-storey, 3,200-square-foot home by digging out an underground extension.
Creating a contemporary and spacious home within the constraints of a mews house is never easy but What House? judges noted that importantly, the essential challenges of converting this type of building “have been understood and the research that was done of other similar schemes has clearly paid off”.
They added: “The scheme has excelled in meeting the challenges set in developing the project. The insertion of a grand, top-lit staircase plus a light well to the rear has meant that, unusually, the spaces within the mews are flooded with natural light. The interior feels unusually spacious and generous despite the fact that it contains a reception room, cinema room, large master bedroom suite in an enclosed mezzanine level and three other bedrooms, all with en-suites.”
Bronze – Berkeley Homes (Southern) – All Saints, Eastbourne, East Sussex
The Best Renovation bronze accolade went to Berkeley Homes for All Saints, Eastbourne, East Sussex, a Grade II listed, Victorian Gothic hospital which has been successfully converted from institutional to residential use while “maintaining the cohesive feel and distinctive atmosphere of the buildings”.
Surrey-based Bereley Homes, part of the Berkeley Group, established in 1976, took home 12 awards spanning a number of categories at last year’s prestigious What House? Awards.
Rupert Bates editorial director of whathouse.co.uk said: “The Berkeley Group is one of the UK’s best new home developers. Having earned themselves a first-class reputation for building top quality new homes across London and the Home Counties constructing lavish houses to top quality apartments, they aspire to cater to all buyer needs.”