The Grade II-listed Westminster Fire Station, an early 20th-century building originally created for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, has been redesigned into a set of 17 contemporary apartments. The scheme, spearheaded by Alchemi Group, together with Far East Orchard Limited, encompasses the reimagined, elegant existing building, which has been carefully reworked into residential use, and an entirely new element at the rear of the plot, separated from the older structure through the existence of an idyllic landscaped internal garden for the residents.
The project's design and architecture authors, Jennifer Beningfield of Openstudio Architects and Laura Marino, creative director and co-founder at Alchemi Group and founder of interior design firm Studio L, diligently worked with old and new, weaving the historical fabric with 21st-century elements – both aesthetically and also in terms of all the mod cons needed for a contemporary residential space. The result can be seen in the development's first phase, which has just been revealed with the launch of nine fully complete residences ranging in size from 421 sq ft to 1,490 sq ft.
Meanwhile, the station's exterior of red bricks and Edwardian Portland stone detailing has been maintained and restored, matched by the new building's custom-made iridescent glazed bricks. Bespoke brass screens ‘inspired by the traditional cast iron features’ and overflowing with planting, are placed at the rear façade, towards the courtyard. The redesigned element is now known as Fire Station, while the new section has been called Station House.
Inside, the interiors mix the period building’s quirkiness and modern luxury with bespoke design, craft and colourful, playful touches throughout.
‘We are delighted to be working alongside Far East Orchard Limited to give Westminster Fire Station a new sense of purpose. Our joint vision [was] to deliver a beautiful boutique residential project that respects the history of the building, retains and enhances its character, and reduces its environmental impact. I am proud this has been realised and look forward to welcoming future owners into the building with our contemporary interpretation of history,' says managing director and co-founder of Alchemi Group Charlie Baxter.
INFORMATION
-
Wallpaper* checks in at the refreshed W Hollywood: ‘more polish and less party’The W Hollywood introduces a top-to-bottom reimagining by the Rockwell Group, capturing the genuine warmth and spirit of Southern California
-
Book a table at Row on 5 in London for the dinner party of dreamsRow on 5, the first restaurant ever to open on Savile Row, emerges as a perfectly tailored fit for fans of fan dining
-
How a bijou jewellery salon in Monaco set the jewellery trends for 2025Inside the inaugural edition of Joya, where jewellery is celebrated as miniature works of art
-
An eco-conscious reconfiguration of space revives a London homeAn eco-conscious reimagining of a Victorian terraced home for a growing London family, THISS Studio’s Hartley House offers sustainable, spacious living
-
Gingerbread City: architects sculpt London out of the season's favourite treatUntil December 29 in Chelsea, see London brought to life in a seasonal-appropriate medium by leading architects and designers
-
This listed house in London is transformed through a contemporary celebration of the archSegmental House, a listed house transformation by Dominic McKenzie Architects, taps into the playful powers of the contemporary arch
-
Ebb and flow: Tidal House is a harmonious retreat on the Solway CoastTidal House by Brown & Brown Architects redefines coastal living with a design that balances privacy, openness, and harmony with nature
-
Farshid Moussavi’s new house in Hove is about ‘what you need and nothing more’A new house in Hove, designed by Farshid Moussavi for her parents, hits the right notes between functional and minimalist in the British seaside town
-
A Corten-clad extension creates a prominent Peckham landmark: tour Rusty House on the RyeStudio on the Rye’s radical overhaul of a 1950s house in south London pairs robust materials with expansive new interior spaces
-
The RIBA House of the Year 2024 winner is a delightful work in progressThe winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2024 is Six Columns in south London – the home of architect and 31/44 studio co-founder William Burges
-
Dip into Wyld sauna: Liverpool's floating Finnish-style destination for lovers of extreme heatWyld sauna has opened in Liverpool, offering the perfect excuse to take a dive into the Nordic wellness tradition
