Jonathan Freegard Architects
SECRET GARDEN HOUSING SCHEME
ON MILE END WAREHOUSE SITE
Architect 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.
The scheme that gained planning consent in 2015
and completed last year provides a mixture of eight
2- and 3-bedroom houses and replicates the form of
the warehouse but is cut away on the south side to
make room for private gardens.
A garden courtyard at each end of the site gives
access to three houses while a fourth house has
direct access to the street with a wheelchair
accessible garage. In addition to the small private
gardens in each courtyard, the four larger houses all
have south-facing in-set roof terraces at 2nd floor
level off a master bedroom. These are completely
private and give fine views over the rooftops and in
many cases the occupiers have chosen to make this
room their living room.
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