A four storey upwards extension, whilst retaining and repairing the facade of the locally listed Royal Oak, to deliver eight new homes with a future-ready ground-floor commercial unit.
When we purchased the site it carried consent for 6 dwellings. We returned to planning to add an extra storey and create +2 homes (now 8 in total), keeping the commercial unit at ground for a later meanwhile or lease use. Earlier attempts by a previous owner to demolish and replace the building were refused or withdrawn, reflecting its locally listed status and heritage value; our approach builds on the extant approvals while funding careful repair. The scheme is car-free with secure cycle and policy-compliant refuse arrangements.
We retain and restore the distinctive street elevations, including the green ceramic tiling and the ‘Truman’s Beers’ glazed signage on Glenister Street. Above, a three-storey brick extension with a set-back top floor mediates surrounding heights and improves the junction of Woodman Street and Glenister Street. Deep reveals and robust brickwork give continuity with the host building; the new homes are planned for good daylight and outlook with private amenity, and natural surveillance to both streets is strengthened. The historic narrative acknowledges that a pub has occupied the corner since at least 1872, with the current fabric dating to circa 1907, and that the upper storey was lost to WWII bombing, which explains the long-standing single-storey condition we inherited.
A previous proposal sought to clear the site; we felt the opposite. We fell in love with the glazed green Truman’s façade the first time we saw it and chose to keep and repair it. We also explored reopening the ground floor through a Good Growth Fund bid with UEL for a community-focused creative digital learning space; although unsuccessful, we’re proceeding with façade restoration in preparation to lease the unit. There was an unwelcome twist: an attempted arson led the fire brigade to force entry through the historic corner “Beers” tiling—we recovered the pieces and will reinstate the original element as part of the works.
2020/21
Type
Mixed-Use Upwards Extension
Status
Complete
Location
Silvertown, London
Size
815sqm