Wilbury Grove Mews

Sensitive mixed-use development in Brighton’s Willett Estate Conservation Area, extending an existing Victorian mews to create contemporary apartments and flexible retail/workspace.

Client Blacktree Developments
Sector Homes
Size 420m²
Location Hove, Brighton

Blacktree Developments approached us to investigate the development opportunity of a three-storey Victorian mews house in Hove, which had been subject to a series of insensitive additions over the decades.

Our proposals needed to be appropriate for the Willett Estate Conservation Area and an adjacent Grade I listed neighbour, with considered interventions.

Rupert Corney, Founder, Blacktree Developments
‘Fathom created a fantastic design which enabled us to unlock full value from the extension and sub-division of a large mews house into apartments in Hove. Their understanding of the heritage constraints helped to successfully navigate the planning process.’

We began by removing unsympathetic extensions, stripping the building back to its bones and re-thinking layouts from scratch.

By working hard with the plan, tricky compromised spaces were transformed into characterful living spaces whilst freeing up the ground floor to create flexible work / retail space opening directly onto Eaton Road.

Following an eleventh-hour reappraisal of the existing parking provision, we were able to create an additional ground floor apartment with a valuable south facing courtyard garden.

The resulting development delivered four two-bedroom homes and 58m² of commercial space with a coherent architectural language.

Justin’s depth of knowledge gained from sitting on the Brighton and Hove Design Review Panel enabled our team to expertly navigate tricky heritage issues, allowing the design to progress unhindered.

Following planning consent, the development was realised with the retail unit now established as a popular coffee shop in Hove.