A historic Victorian police headquarters in North London's upscale St. Johns Wood neighborhood has been transformed into nine luxury rental apartments, marking a creative adaptive reuse project that bridges the gap between the building's civic past and residential future. The corner building, which once housed different occupants entirely during its days as the local police precinct, has retained its original golden Victorian facade complete with the original iron lantern and distinctive Gibbs brickwork that gives it its pleasant, welcoming appearance.
Development company Wendover has undertaken an extensive conversion project, opening up the rear of the building to create nine bright, cream-colored apartments arranged around a charming European-style courtyard. This marks Wendover's debut venture into the rental market, with the new annex designed to complement the original structure through the use of lighter-colored brick and softer architectural shapes that appeal to contemporary, refined residents seeking a more genteel living environment.
The architectural team, led by partners Coelingh, Gabriel Chipperfield, and Saul Sutton, took a meticulous approach to preserving the building's historical character. "While not technically required as the building was not listed, we meticulously restored the facade and recreated like-for-like details that may have been in place when the building was first constructed," explains Coelingh. "And we ensured any new functional interventions were integrated as sympathetically to the original fabric as possible." According to Gabriel Chipperfield, the project's appeal lay in "the prospect of bold, interesting architecture and unique space-making within quite a classical and conservative area of town."
The conversion freed up approximately 350 square meters of space, allowing for apartments of varying sizes and configurations. The architects applied design principles from the modern wing to the historical sections and vice versa, creating a seamless blend of old and new. They began with clear, light-filled spaces featuring contemporary joinery, then incorporated traditional colors, flooring, bathroom tiling, and wash basins to create a smooth transition between the building's historical and modern elements. "We sought to find a simple common language that would work for both," Coelingh noted.
Each apartment features a unique floor plan while maintaining a consistent aesthetic characterized by restrained elegance and a cohesive creamy color palette. This approach allows the building's heritage features to take center stage while providing residents with a neutral canvas for their personal touches. The kitchens showcase solid oak flooring paired with off-white lacquered joinery and terrazzo countertops, creating a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere.
The bathrooms pay direct homage to the building's civic history through carefully selected period-appropriate features. Edwardian-style basins, ribbed glass, and tiles with traditional black-edge detailing all reference the structure's original purpose while meeting modern functionality standards. Throughout the apartments, lighting fixtures make a statement through their understated design, reflecting an approach that prioritizes subtlety over ostentation.
The design philosophy shows clear influence from David Chipperfield, Gabriel's father and renowned architect, particularly in the property's emphasis on natural light, visual clarity, and generous proportions. This architectural DNA is evident throughout the spaces, creating environments that feel both spacious and intimate.
The heart of the entire project lies in the cobblestone courtyard, which the architects identify as the development's core feature. Overlooked by tall windows trimmed in olive green and original fire escapes from the historic building, this central space serves as both a visual focal point and social hub for residents. "We were struck by the potential of what one could build within the confines of this courtyard," explains Chipperfield. "We wanted to push for a communal and open way of living, with strong purposeful architecture."
The courtyard design embodies European residential ideals, functioning as an accessible space that every resident can enjoy regardless of whether they're accessing the bicycle storage area, the co-working library, or simply passing through the communal hallways. It serves as a natural gathering place for residents, encouraging community interaction and fostering the kind of neighborly connections that are increasingly rare in urban developments. This thoroughfare concept reflects the architects' commitment to creating not just individual living spaces, but a true residential community that encourages social interaction while respecting privacy.
The project represents a successful example of adaptive reuse in London's competitive property market, demonstrating how historical buildings can be sensitively modernized to meet contemporary housing needs while preserving their architectural heritage and contributing to the neighborhood's character.
