Fitzrovia listed building extension

Georgian fitzrovia house extension with timber floor and oak doors - Camden architects

Architecture for London has completed a deep remodelling and extension of a listed building in Fitzrovia.

This listed building extension and refurbishment in Fitzrovia carefully balances the retained historic fabric in the original main house with modern living spaces to the rear. The property was originally built in 1798. It is adjacent to the imposing Fitzroy Square, designed by Robert Adam in the 18th Century.

A large three-storey rear extension was created, featuring generous terrace space, a new master bedroom suite, a glazed reading room, new bathrooms, and a bespoke kitchen. The basement level was lowered to provide comfortable floor-to-ceiling heights throughout.

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Careful demolition was required due to the attached neighbouring listed buildings on all sides. The original Georgian house was sensitively refurbished, retaining the historic features including the cornice, parquet floor, fireplaces, doors, sash windows and shutters in the double reception room.

The master bedroom suite includes a private study and dressing areas, en-suite shower room, feature bath, walk-in wardrobe and light-filled courtyard. Naturally textured materials such as Yorkstone and Carrera marble are complemented by moments of colour, with blues in the kitchen and greens in the living space.

Architecture for London took a detail-oriented design approach for this refurbishment project. We allowed for historic elements lost under layers of paint to be brought back to life. Even the cast-iron railings were stripped to reveal the original detail. These original elements are enhanced by a strong material-based approach to the contemporary rear extension works.

Design Strategy

The design of the new rear extension was carefully articulated to step down in scale towards the terrace. This reduces its visual impact on neighbouring properties while maximising natural light to the interior. Large-format glazing and slender framing open the kitchen and living areas to the terrace, maximising the visual connection between inside and out. Externally, London stock brick was selected to complement the historic rear elevation.

Internally, the planning of this listed building was reconfigured to better suit modern family life. Cellular rooms at the rear were opened up to form a generous kitchen and dining space at garden level, while circulation routes were simplified to improve flow through the property. The new arrangement allows for clear distinctions between private and social areas, with the upper floors providing a contemporary master suite and a home office space.

A key focus of the project was to improve comfort and thermal performance within the constraints of this listed building in Fitzrovia. Insulation upgrades, new services, and underfloor heating were introduced without compromising the historic fabric. High-performance glazing to the extension, airtightness improvements to the building envelope, and improved mechanical ventilation contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient home.

Bespoke wardrobes, shelving, and window seats are integrated into niches and recesses, reducing visual clutter and maintaining generous room proportions.

Location: Conway Street, Fitzrovia W1

Borough: Camden

Project Architect: Matt McKenna