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Architecture | 27 Mar 2018 | By Luke Halls

Deco living: the Hoover Building takes on a new lease of life as an apartment block

Wallis, Gilbert & Partners’ iconic Hoover Building has taken on many roles over its 86-year lifespan – once a wartime factory, then a commercial supermarket and office block. Today, the London building starts its latest chapter as a residential complex, following an interior and exterior overhaul by trandisciplinary architecture and engineering practice Interrobang. The renovation carefully conserves the building’s art deco heritage, co-ordinating a comprehensive repair of the exterior façade and incorporation of a new inserted timber structure to maximise space. The building now houses 66 modern apartments and is a model of sustainable conversion.

Wallis, Gilbert & Partners’ iconic Hoover Building enters its next chapter of life as a residential complex. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

The art deco building was constructed in 1931, and since then has served as the Hoover factory (where it also produced aircraft parts during the Second World War) and a commercial and office location for Tesco. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

Transdisciplinary architecture and engineering practice Interrobang carefully considered the building’s heritage in the structural overhaul. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

All of the staircases are original, finished in the original colour scheme and featuring wrought-iron bannisters. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

The building became Grade II* listed, described in the list entry as ‘Possibly the most significant arterial road factory of its date, and one of the most attractive.’ Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

Spiral staircases lead to the 12 lofts on the new third level. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

Many of the second-level flats overlook the lawn via private terraces. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

The building’s concrete façade suffered extensive cracking over the years, requiring detailed forensic paint analysis for refinishing and repair. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

The loft apartments make use of the sloped ceilings, with large windows providing fantastic lighting. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

Modern interiors juxtapose the building’s exterior, respectively giving the building new life after being vacated for a decade. Photography: © Morley von Sternberg

Deco living: the Hoover Building takes on a new lease of life as an apartment block

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