Rooftop extension around three sides of seven-storey 1930’s mansion block, facing out over Regent’s Park and within the St.John’s Wood Conservation Area, creating four large penthouse apartments.

The single storey extension is set back to minimise visibility from the street and overshadowing of neighbours while providing generous new terraces and planted areas.

Form and materials complement the existing building. The front capitalises on outstanding views over the park while the other elevations have a system of terracotta louvre screens to provide solar control, privacy and to unify the facades.

Lightweight construction is utilised to reduce loading of existing structure and minimise disruption to existing residents, who remained in occupation below during construction. A highly complex project requiring careful consultation with freeholder and residents, with tight restrictions on construction logistics and demanding coordination with existing structure and services.

Client: Freshwater Group

Status: Completed 2023

Team: JLL, Matter (as McDowell+Benedetti to stage 3), Michael Hadi Associates, Max Fordham, Vertica, EB7, BWC Fire, Osborn Associates, Sweco, ARJ Construction