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

Architecture | 27 Mar 2018 | By Luke Halls

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.

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

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

Hoover building stairway — 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*

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

Hoover building lobby — Transdisciplinary architecture and engineering practice Interrobang carefully considered the building’s heritage in the structural overhaul. *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

Hoover building hallway — 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*

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

Hoover building exterior view — The building’s exterior also features a colour palette reflective of the original. *Photography: © Morley von Sternberg*

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

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

Hoover building kitchen — The latest Hoover appliances are fitted into every apartment. *Photography: © Morley von Sternberg*

Hoover building bedroom — Loft bedrooms benefit especially well from the larger windows. *Photography: © Morley von Sternberg*

Hoover building details — Modern interiors juxtapose the building’s exterior, respectively giving the building new life after being vacated for a decade. *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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