Excessive ceilings and a constructing that wasn’t getting used as a house have been the important thing drivers for Peggy Prendeville, an inside designer and photographer, when she began looking for properties to transform. She wasn’t essentially contemplating buying a listed building , simply someplace she may flip right into a household residence.
Along with her flat already below provide, she was directed in direction of Simon Stone on the Distinctive Property Firm to assist together with her search. And though The Chapel exceeded her price range, she made a low provide and shook the seller’s hand. A person of honour, he thought-about the deal sealed and she or he turned the brand new proprietor.
Quick ahead to at this time and the chapel – now transformed into a novel household residence – is again on sale, absolutely restored and showcasing a raft of authentic options and intelligent conversion concepts. We have a look inside.
Ceilings and stained glass home windows take centre stage on this chapel conversion (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
The Chapel is one in all London’s largest chapel conversions, with 5 bedrooms, two bogs, a backyard and two completely different mezzanine ranges that take full benefit of the property’s intensive peak.
And regardless of initially missing in electrical lighting – relying solely on candlelight at night time – it’s now flooded with character, gentle and loads of wow components.
Situated close to parkland with wonderful metropolis hyperlinks
The chapel is located near parks on a tree-lined avenue (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
“It’s a really particular constructing. Not solely is it a superbly transformed chapel, however the authentic options of the Chapel are fantastic,” says Unique Property Company founder, Simon. “It’s additionally a Grade II* Listed constructing, which in itself is a rarity, as solely round 6% of listed properties have a star to them.
“The opposite big attraction of this property is the placement,” says Simon. “It’s on a very quiet highway, reverse a reasonably park and but so near central London.”
Particular constructing consent wanted because of Grade II* standing
Particular consent was required to show the chapel right into a household residence (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
Initially destined for conversion into 4 flats, Peggy was in a position to persuade the planners it ought to turn out to be one distinctive residence. With approval confirmed, Peggy made three main modifications to the constructing, all of which wanted listed building consent due to the constructing’s particular Grade II* standing.
These included including a doorway to what was initially a carpark in order that the outside house may turn out to be a backyard, in addition to inside modifications to create the required rooms her household wanted.
Glass partitions assist spotlight authentic options
Half peak mezzanine partitions imply authentic options might be seen (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
To provide the property further rooms with out including conventional inside partitions, a mezzanine stage was added above the altar. Utilizing a half peak glass wall with no handrails, made it successfully clear, thereby showcasing the stained glass home windows of their full glory.
It additionally meant the Latin frieze operating across the perimeter of the roof line might be seen from all ranges – together with from the lavish roll prime bathtub.
One other mezzanine offers fitness center house
A house fitness center house is situated on the other mezzanine (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
Along with the mezzanine above the altar, Peggy additionally obtained permission to put in one other one on the reverse finish of the chapel.
Though the mezzanine, accessed by a staircase with glass balustrade is at the moment used as a fitness center, most new rooms created inside the chapel are open to interpretation. Some are at the moment used as bedrooms, others as workspaces making this residence attraction to quite a lot of potential new house owners.
The open plan dwelling space combines previous and new
The unique church altar was moved and repurposed as a kitchen island (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
Integral to getting planning permission was getting the mix of previous and new good, says Peggy. “If it’s a listed constructing, English Heritage are very eager to have the ability to see the distinction between the previous and the brand new as soon as the conversion is full.
“I achieved this by utilizing fashionable supplies like glass and highly-polished stainless-steel. I used to be additionally in a position to keep away from damaging little or no of the unique inside by developing all the brand new inside rooms utilizing bespoke joinery, with the additional advantage that each one their partitions conceal secret storage.”
Peggy additionally used current fixtures within the chapel such because the altar, which has discovered new life is a kitchen island. It was moved to a special location inside the house and now homes kitchen items, accessed from the rear of the altar going through the lengthy galley unit.
Renovating a church requires time and imaginative and prescient
Restoring a listed constructing takes time and dedication (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
“It takes somebody with creativeness and a little bit of aptitude to tackle a house of this type,” provides Simon.” Historic buildings have a “soul” that the majority houses simply don’t have. House owners purchase into that and are going to get pleasure from being part of historical past.”
The chapel has been sympathetically transformed to showcase its orignal options reminiscent of marble inset flooring, whereas nonetheless creating sufficient house for household life.
“Like all listed buildings, house owners additionally must have empathy and an understanding of take care of previous and particular buildings,” he says. “You possibly can’t all the time simply nip all the way down to your commonplace DIY retailer and purchase the most cost effective supplies to do upkeep work. Every thing must be chosen rigorously to make sure the constructing stays in wonderful situation.”
As for Peggy, regardless of having cherished her time as custodian of The Chapel, she says she’s wanting ahead to a brand new problem.
“Being an inside architect, I would love one other venture, however will return to my consolation zone of contemporary and minimal.” Her imaginative and prescient? “Maybe an industrial or industrial constructing and once more it will need to have (or have potential for) a really excessive ceiling.”
Peggy has future venture plans (Picture credit score: Distinctive Property Firm)
