Design Buy Build Issue 31 2018 | Page 52

Secret Garden Housing Scheme On Mile End Warehouse Site Tel: 020 8981 5665 email: mobile 07703 314 179 [email protected] www.jf-architects.co.uk A rchitect Jonathan Freegard had observed this crumbling warehouse site next to his offices and home in Tredegar Square, Mile End, for over 20 years. He had originally wanted to purchase it for his own firm’s use as a workspace but when he eventually tracked down the owner and found she did not want to sell, he came up with other ideas for her to develop the site. With the added value clear from the outset it took little persuading to get her to pursue the suggested scheme. But she had never built anything previoiusly and the architects had to guide her through the development process step-by-step to eventual completion. The original warehouse dated from the 1870s and ran along the backs of the gardens of the houses on the south side of this typical late Georgian square. It had been bomb damaged in WW2, little used for 20 years and was in a very dilapidated condition. 52