The flat
An upper-floor duplex in a landmark Victorian building in central London. Big windows, views across the city, and a layout that had been chopped into small rooms at some point in its life. The owners loved the building. They didn’t love living in a corridor of separate rooms with the best view stuck behind a door.
So that was the brief, more or less. Open it up, finish it properly, and don’t make it look like it belongs in a new-build tower.
Force Builders Ltd did the whole apartment refurbishment, from strip-out to handover. The owners brought in their own interior designer, and we worked to that scheme.
What we did
Walls came out and some were moved, so the kitchen, dining and living space became one room facing the windows. That’s the part people notice first when they walk in.
It’s also the part that takes the longest to get right in a building this age. Any wall you take out in a Victorian block needs checking by a structural engineer first, and if it’s carrying load, steel goes in. In most blocks you’ll need the freeholder’s sign-off as well, and that can take weeks, so we always tell people to start that conversation early. Then there’s the floors. Old buildings move over a hundred-odd years, and you’d be amazed how far out of level a floor can be. Marble and fitted joinery show every bit of that, so a fair amount of time on jobs like this goes into work nobody will ever see.
The finishes were timber and Italian marble, with made-to-measure cabinetry and joinery throughout. Off-the-shelf units rarely fit a period flat. The walls lean, the alcoves are all different widths, and you end up filling gaps with scribing strips that look cheap. Bespoke costs more, no point pretending otherwise, but it’s the reason the rooms look finished.
The scheme itself came from a London interior designer the owners had picked. That works well when the builder and designer actually talk. If something on the drawings isn’t going to work once the wall is opened up, you want to hear that before the marble is ordered, not after.
In the kitchen everything is built in: fridge, induction hob, convection oven. Our electrical team did the smart home side, with automated lighting and climate control, wiring for the sound system, and LED lighting all through. One thing we’d say to anyone planning the same: decide on the tech early. Once the plasterboard is up, adding a speaker or a lighting circuit means cutting into a finished wall.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Materials Used | Timber, Italian marble, made-to-measure cabinetry |
| Appliances | Built-in fridge, induction hob, convection oven |
| Technology | Smart home system with automated lighting and climate control |
| Layout Improvements | Walls moved to create one open-plan kitchen, dining and living area |
| Design Style | Contemporary design that respects the Victorian building |
| Energy Efficiency | LED lighting throughout, energy-efficient appliances |
How it turned out
The flat now works as one living space looking out at the city, which was the whole point. It still feels like a Victorian building, just one where you can cook and talk to people at the same time.
At this end of the London market a properly finished flat is worth more than one that still needs work. Buyers can tell the difference between a quick cosmetic job and one where the floors were levelled and the joinery was made for the room.
A word on neighbours, because in a block it matters. On any flat job we agree working hours with the building management, cover the lift and common parts, and keep the noisy work to set times. People still hear it. But they’re a lot more forgiving when they’ve been told what’s happening and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main objectives of the apartment refurbishment?
Open up a chopped-up layout, get the views into the main living space, and finish it to a high standard without losing the Victorian character.
What architectural changes were made during the refurbishment?
Walls were taken out and moved to make one open-plan kitchen, dining and living room.
What interior design and decor elements were used?
Timber, Italian marble and bespoke joinery, to the owners’ interior designer’s scheme. Modern, but in keeping with the building.
What upgrades were made to the appliances and technology?
Built-in kitchen appliances, LED lighting, smart lighting and climate control, and wiring for sound.
How does a refurbishment like this benefit the surrounding community?
Honestly, the main thing is not being a nuisance while the work’s going on. Agreed hours, protected common areas, and a building that’s better looked after at the end of it.
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Force Builders Ltd is a London building company (Companies House 07049787) delivering house extensions, loft conversions and full refurbishments across Greater London. See our projects or get in touch.