Case Study

Victorian Townhouse, Maida Vale W9

Complete renovation of a four-storey Victorian townhouse in Maida Vale including structural reconfiguration, period detail restoration, bespoke kitchen and three new bathrooms. A 12-month programme delivered within Westminster’s conservation framework.

Programme12 Months
Budget Band£480k – £620k
Core WorksFull Refurb + Kitchen + Bathrooms
Result32% Value Uplift

A Period Home Reborn in Little Venice

This handsome four-storey Victorian townhouse sits on a quiet, tree-lined crescent between Maida Vale and Little Venice. The owners — a young family relocating from a modern flat in Canary Wharf — wanted to preserve the period character while creating a home that worked for contemporary family life.

Our design team proposed removing a non-original ground-floor partition to create an open-plan kitchen-dining-living space that runs the full depth of the house, opening onto the rear garden through new crittal-style glazing. The first floor was reconfigured to create a generous principal suite with a walk-in wardrobe and freestanding bath.

Structurally, new steel beams were required at ground level to support the removal of the loadbearing wall, and the entire house was rewired, re-plumbed and fitted with a new condensing boiler and underfloor heating throughout the ground floor. All original cornicing, ceiling roses, skirting and the main staircase balustrade were carefully restored by specialist plasterers.

The finished home balances heritage detailing with clean, contemporary interiors — reclaimed parquet flooring, handmade encaustic tiles in the hallway, and a bespoke shaker kitchen with a Carrara marble island. Westminster’s conservation officer commended the sensitive approach to the front elevation.

Project Timeline

1
Weeks 1–3

Brief & Survey

Full measured survey, structural assessment and services audit across all four floors. Asbestos survey returned clear; original lath-and-plaster ceilings confirmed in good condition.

Measured survey & 3D model Structural condition report Services audit & damp survey
2
Weeks 4–8

Concept Design

Two layout options explored. Material palette centred on warm whites, aged brass and reclaimed timber.

2 concept options presented Material palette boards 3D visualisations
3
Weeks 9–14

Planning & Approvals

Pre-application advice confirmed the rear extension fell within permitted development rights. Building regulations drawings submitted. Party wall notice served.

Permitted development confirmation Building regs submission Party wall agreement
4
Weeks 15–18

Technical Design

Full construction package including steelwork details, M&E layouts for underfloor heating zones and a detailed joinery specification.

Structural steelwork details M&E layout drawings Kitchen & joinery specs
5
Months 5–8

Construction Phase

Strip-out completed in 10 days. Steelwork installed and signed off. Bathroom pod construction ran in parallel with the kitchen fit-out.

Strip-out & structural works First-fix M&E Bathroom & kitchen construction
6
Months 9–11

Fit-Out & Finishing

Second-fix electrics, bespoke joinery, tiling, decoration and flooring across all four floors. Period plaster restoration by specialist sub-contractor.

Bespoke joinery installation Period plaster restoration Tiling & decoration
7
Month 12

Handover & Aftercare

Snagging, deep clean and client walkthrough. Building control sign-off obtained. 12-month aftercare commitment.

Snagging & deep clean Building control sign-off 12-month aftercare

What We Delivered

Full Structural Reconfiguration

Removal of ground-floor loadbearing wall with new steel beam, enabling an open-plan kitchen-dining-living space running the full depth of the house.

Bespoke Kitchen & Island

Handmade shaker-style kitchen in Farrow & Ball Hague Blue with Carrara marble worktops, integrated Gaggenau appliances and a 3-metre central island.

Three New Bathrooms

Principal en-suite with freestanding copper bath, two children’s en-suite shower rooms, and a refurbished family bathroom. All with underfloor heating.

Complete M&E Renewal

Full rewire, new condensing boiler, underfloor heating to ground floor, reconfigured radiator circuits to upper floors, and smart lighting control throughout.

Investment Breakdown

How the project budget was allocated across the major work packages.

Structural Works & Shell~35%
Kitchen, Bathrooms & Joinery~32%
M&E Services & Performance~20%
Professional Fees & Contingency~13%

Problems We Solved

Challenge

Heritage vs. Open Plan

Creating a contemporary open-plan ground floor without compromising the Victorian proportions or losing period details.

Solution

The new steel was concealed within a bulkhead that follows the line of the original ceiling mouldings. Cornicing was reproduced to wrap the extended space seamlessly.

Challenge

Bathroom Services Routing

Running waste and water supplies to three new bathrooms on upper floors without visible boxing or damage to original ceilings below.

Solution

Careful routing through floor voids with acoustic isolation. Macerator systems avoided by gravity runs to the existing soil stack.

The team understood from day one that we wanted a modern family home, not a museum. They preserved every piece of original character while giving us the open, light-filled spaces we dreamed of.
Rachel & Tom K. Homeowners, Maida Vale W9

Planning a Similar Project?

Whether you are considering a full house renovation, kitchen project or bathroom upgrade in Maida Vale, Little Venice or West London, our team can help.