New developments:
MHA’s high-end transformation at the end of Old Street
M
HA London has transformed a 1960s Brutalist-style office block into luxury, high-tech apartments.
six two-bed apartments and two three-bed pent- houses ranging from 811 ft2
The eight units at 30 Old Street, consisting of to 1451 ft2
, rent for
up to £1,300 a week. The ground floor has been retained as a commercial unit. The high-end standard apartments, three quar-
ters of which are now rented out to students, include air conditioning, floor-to-ceiling glass roof terraces and balconies, triple glazing, and ‘intuitive’ lighting. Inside the post-industrial building, which
boasts views over London’s skyline from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Shard, architect MWA and MHA’s in-house team have deployed their com- bined expertise in designing high-specification developments. Hossein Abedinzadeh, founder of MHA
London, detailed the background to the project: “There was an opportunity to take a tired, run- down office block and turn it into a ‘trophy’ building which would demonstrate our capability
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to construct something extraordinary. Attention to detail in a high-spec interior as well as exterior features were the key to success.”
“We made a compelling application which highlighted how we could improve the building and the surrounding area”
He discussed the challenges of planning
permission, and how MHA acquired the building: “It’s never easy to acquire properties with potential, however I believe our successfully acquiring this one was down to both our previous track record, and our speed.” Abedinzadeh added: Islington is not an easy area to secure planning permissions with the local authority, but we made a compelling application which highlighted the ways in which we could improve both the
building and the surrounding area. Planning con- sent also included a substantial contribution to the council for much-needed housing.” On the subject of Brutalism in the context of
the trend of converting commercial properties, he said: “Brutalism is a bit of a Marmite movement; people either love or hate the stark, functionalist architecture. Regardless of aesthetics however, in certain areas concrete and steel has performed exceptionally well in terms of creating affordable, private dwellings. However, I think there is a change in perception from Brutalist to ‘beautiful’ from current popular trends for modern, chic and high-tech buildings. People like to see their city evolve and change.” “In terms of general commercial buildings
being changed into residential buildings, it’s the same thing: office spaces can make good, affordable housing. However, this trend from commercial to residential has also created a short- age of office space in certain areas. Nevertheless, in central areas there are restrictions put in place to deter this from happening, so, as with everything, it’s about maintaining a balance.”
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