Our current project is the careful restoration of a fire-damaged townhouse in the Albion Square conservation area — a characterful three-storey building in one of Hackney's most sought-after corners, left abandoned for nearly 14 years. It's the clearest example of how we work: taking on something overlooked and difficult, and seeing it through with care.
Section and visualisation by Up Architects.
Fire-damaged and left abandoned for nearly 14 years, the building had been all but forgotten. The consented scheme restores it sensitively and subdivides it into two high-quality homes — respecting the conservation area while bringing the building back into proper use.
Securing consent in a sensitive conservation area was hard-won. We engaged closely with our nearest neighbours from the outset, listened to concerns and adapted our plans — and earned the support of many of those living closest to the site.
It still took resolve to get over the line. The scheme included a mansard loft conversion, which are routinely refused in this conservation area. Rather than hope ours slipped through, we studied precisely why comparable applications had failed, and worked with our architect through local and national policy in detail to design one that answered those reasons. In March 2026, councillors voted to grant permission — proof of how we work: open to the people around us, and determined enough to see a good scheme through.
I am so glad that this building is getting the attention it desperately needs. I worried that it had fallen into such dilapidation there was a chance it would soon collapse or be beyond repair. The plans take conservation concerns into account, while turning it into two homes makes it financially conceivable to do so. The renovators seem to really have their heart in the restoration and, being skilled in carpentry and construction, I believe they are the couple for the job. Thanks for saving the caretaker’s house.
A sensitive subdivision of the original single dwelling into two self-contained homes, each designed to a high standard for this sought-after postcode.
A three-storey stepped rear extension, a new mansard roof, a front lightwell and a lowered rear garden — carefully considered for a conservation setting.
We've documented the journey publicly from the start — the setbacks, the costs and the near-two-year planning battle included. Nothing hidden.
From the fire-damaged shell to the finished homes — including the setbacks, the costs and the planning battle — we're sharing it all as it happens. Follow the restoration as it unfolds.
Follow @caretakershouseWhether it's land, a tired building or an overlooked plot, we'd happily talk through what might be possible.
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