London's Hoover Building gets A Facelift

One of London’s most iconic Art Deco buildings has been transformed into66 apartments that retain many of the former factory's original features.

Designed in 1931 as a factory for the Hoover company, the Grade II-listed Hoover Building has been redeveloped as an apartment block, withluxe living spaces due to be ready this spring 2018.

Originally built by Wallis, Gilbert & Partners,the London building hastaken on many roles over its 86-year lifespan. A former wartime factory, it was later used as a commercial supermarket and office block.

Most interestingly, whilst it was still owned by Hoover,aircraft parts were produced there during the war and the building wascamouflaged to protect it from bombing.When Hoover moved their production to Scotland in 1982 the building fell into disrepair. It was then restored by Tesco in 1989 where it was home to a large supermarket with Tesco offices upstairs.

Now in the hands of IDM Properties who snapped it up in 2015, the building starts its latest chapter as a residential complex following an interior and exterior overhaul by UK studio Interrobang.Although a Tescosupermarket will still remain on site, the upstairs is now home to 66 luxe apartments which will be open for offers this spring.

IDM Properties has invested heavily in the preservation and restoration of the Hoover Building’s iconic features, making sure to keep many of the original detailsincluding grand staircases with wrought-iron bannisters, Crittall windows,terrazzo flooring in the lobby and the colour scheme used in the corridors.

Two original Hoover passenger lifts are still in use, while period ironmongery and refurbished Art Deco lighting has been retained in communal areas.

Art Deco touches can also be found throughout the newly designed apartments which blend 1930s details with contemporary finishes.

Bedrooms are fitted with frosted glass sliding wardrobes, with a grid design that evokes the Crittall windows, andthe new open-plan apartments feature doors with geometric ironmongery – a motif borrowed and abstracted from the building’s façade and doorways– as well as chrome and brass accents in the form of furniture and light switches.

The heritage of the building has also been reflected in the careful regeneration of the gardens which have been restored to their former glory using historic photographic evidence.

One of Interrobang's key innovations was to introduce extra levels between the existing floor slabs.

Each of the loft apartments also has its own spiral stair entrance and features large roof lights that fill the interiors with natural light. And in a fitting nod to the past, all of the apartment’s kitchen appliances are made by Hoover.

Prices for the apartments start at £295,000 for a studio and go up to £649,995 for a three-bedroom apartment. Would-be owners can view the show flats at their launch on 24 and 25 June.

The completed photos are by Morley von SternbergThe construction photos are by Agnese Sanvito