#L-shaped Dormer Loft Conversion

[poppy86579]

The Ultimate Guide to L-shaped Dormer Loft Conversion

Are you in the market for a home loft conversion? Check out our ultimate guide to L-shaped dormer loft conversions in London to explain the benefits and costs.

[fixizws]

Transforming Your Home with a Loft Conversion: A Comprehensive Guide

In the quest for additional living space, a loft conversion is one of the most efficient and cost-effective solutions. By utilizing the often-underused area under your roof, you can significantly increase your home’s functionality, value, and appeal without the need for an extensive extension or the hassle of moving. This guide will explore everything you need to know about loft conversions, from the benefits and types to planning considerations and potential challenges.

Why Consider a Loft Conversion?

A loft conversion offers numerous advantages, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking to optimize their living space.

Maximizing Space: Converting your loft allows you to make the most of the existing space in your home. Whether you need an extra bedroom, a home office, or a playroom, a loft conversion can provide the additional room you need without expanding your property’s footprint.

Increasing Property Value: A well-executed loft conversion can significantly increase your home’s market value. Depending on the type of conversion and the location of your property, this added value can often outweigh the initial investment.

Avoiding the Stress of Moving: With a loft conversion, you can avoid the disruption, cost, and emotional strain of moving to a larger home. This is especially advantageous if you’re attached to your current neighborhood or have children settled in local schools.

Versatility: Loft spaces can be transformed into a variety of functional rooms, including guest bedrooms, home offices, gyms, or even self-contained apartments for rental income.

Types of Loft Conversions

There are several types of loft conversions, each suited to different property types and homeowner needs. The best option for you will depend on your budget, the structural characteristics of your home, and your intended use of the space.

Dormer Loft Conversion: One of the most common types, a dormer loft conversion involves extending the existing roof to create additional headroom and floor space. Dormers can be built on the side, rear, or front of the house and often include windows to allow natural light.

Mansard Loft Conversion: This type of conversion involves altering one or both sides of the roof’s structure to create a nearly vertical wall, maximizing space. Mansard conversions are typically more expensive but offer significant additional room, making them ideal for creating multiple rooms.

Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversion: Suitable for homes with a hipped roof (a roof that slopes on all sides), this conversion involves extending the roof’s ridge line to form a vertical gable end. This alteration provides more internal space and is a popular choice for semi-detached or detached homes.

Velux (Rooflight) Loft Conversion: The most cost-effective option, a Velux loft conversion involves installing windows into the existing roofline without altering the structure. This is ideal for homes with sufficient headroom and those looking to add a functional space with minimal disruption.

L-Shaped Loft Conversion: Common in Victorian and Edwardian homes, this conversion creates an L-shape by extending both the rear roof and a rear extension. It provides a large, versatile space that can accommodate multiple rooms.

Planning and Design Considerations

A successful loft conversion requires careful planning and consideration to ensure the final result meets your needs and complies with regulations.

Assessing Feasibility: Before embarking on a loft conversion, assess whether your loft space is suitable for conversion. This includes checking the head height (ideally at least 2.2 meters), the roof structure, and the availability of natural light. Consulting with a professional architect or surveyor can help determine the best approach.

Planning Permission: In many cases, loft conversions fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning you may not need planning permission. However, if your property is in a conservation area, a listed building, or the conversion significantly alters the roof's appearance, you may need to apply for planning permission. Always check with your local planning authority.

Building Regulations: Regardless of planning permission, all loft conversions must comply with building regulations. These cover structural integrity, fire safety, insulation, and escape routes. Working with a qualified builder or architect can ensure your conversion meets all necessary standards.

Design and Layout: Consider how you intend to use the space and plan the layout accordingly. Think about factors such as natural light, ventilation, and the placement of stairs. Built-in storage solutions can help maximize space in areas with lower ceilings.

Staircase Design: The type and location of the staircase can significantly impact your loft conversion. A well-designed staircase should be functional, space-saving, and in keeping with the style of your home. Spiral staircases, for example, are a popular choice for their compact footprint.

Insulation and Ventilation: Proper insulation is crucial in a loft conversion to ensure the space is comfortable year-round. Additionally, good ventilation will prevent issues such as condensation and dampness, which are common in attic spaces.

Potential Challenges

While loft conversions offer numerous benefits, there are some challenges to be aware of:

Structural Considerations: Some roofs may require additional support or reinforcement to accommodate a loft conversion. This can add to the complexity and cost of the project.

Disruption: Like any home improvement project, a loft conversion can be disruptive. Depending on the scale of the work, you may need to vacate parts of your home or temporarily relocate.

Budget Overruns: Unexpected costs can arise, particularly if unforeseen structural issues are encountered. It's essential to have a contingency fund in place to cover any additional expenses.

Loss of Storage: Converting your loft may result in the loss of valuable storage space. Consider how you will compensate for this loss elsewhere in your home or incorporate clever storage solutions into the new space.

Final Thoughts

A loft conversion is a fantastic way to enhance your living space, increase your property’s value, and avoid the hassle of moving. By carefully planning your project, considering all design and structural factors, and working with experienced professionals, you can transform your loft into a functional and attractive part of your home. Whether you’re looking to add an extra bedroom, create a private office, or design a luxurious master suite, a loft conversion offers endless possibilities for making the most of your home.

[anvbuildingconstruction]

What Comes Under A Typical Loft Conversion?

Are you planning to utilise the extra space in your house and turn it into a functional space? If yes, loft conversion is your go-to choice. A loft conversion can be an incredible way to utilise the unused and unkempt space in your attic. Moreover, with a growing family or more work load, it might be a necessity.

In this blog, we discuss some of the most common types of loft conversion in London that you can try for your own house –

Rear Dormer: This popular design option extends the roofline at the back of the house, adding valuable headroom and allowing full-height windows.

Mansard Roof Conversion: This striking option adds a dash of Parisian flare while optimising space by replacing the existing sloping roof with a steeper mansard form.

L-Shaped Dormer: This style of dormer maximises light and space by combining a side and rear dormer, making it perfect for a large living room or bedroom.

Hip to Gable Conversion: This conversion creates a full vertical wall with plenty of window space by removing the sloping roof at the gable end, making it ideal for detached or semi-detached homes.

Velux Conversion: This is the most economical option. It uses well-placed roof windows (of which there are many brands) that let light in. It is perfect for converting into a little extra room or study.

Piggyback Conversion: If the height of your roof permits, this type of conversion raises the current roof to make more room underneath. Though it can be a complicated endeavour, there is a lot of floor area available.

Pitched Dormer: An artistically distinctive take on the back dormer, including a slanted roof on the dormer extension itself. Here, a loft conversion specialist in London can help you convert your home for the best.

Side Dormer: A side dormer, installed on the side of the roof, is an appropriate addition to detached or semi-detached homes where a rear dormer might not be practical.

By understanding the different choices of loft conversions, you can transform your home for the best. Remember to consult a conversion specialist who can walk you through the technicalities of converting your home.

[antbuilt]

How To Plan And Design Your Dream Home Extension: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're looking for a step-by-step guide to planning and designing your dream home extension, then this is the post for you! In this post we'll discuss how to plan the perfect home extensions for your home, from considering your budget and land space to developing floor plans, creating a floor plan and choosing the right materials. Let's get started!

Decide on the right form of extension

When deciding on the right form of extension for your home, it's important to consider what you need and what will work best with the existing structure.

There are three main types of extensions:

An additional room at the back or side of your property that can be used as an office or spare bedroom. This is often referred to as a rear dormer extension because it involves adding an extra storey onto your house by extending over part of your existing roofline. It's also possible to create an L-shaped plan by extending along both sides (see below).

A new floor level within an existing space such as a loft conversion where there isn't enough headroom for another bedroom but there may be enough room above it - this would require removing ceilings and floors between rooms so they become one big open space where other facilities such as toilets could also be added if needed; if this sounds like something right up your street then read our guide here! 

Adding extra living space onto an existing terraced house by extending upwards rather than outwards which allows greater flexibility when planning layouts because things like windows aren't fixed in place like they would be when building from scratch.

Choose the right location for your extension

Choosing the right location for your extension is important. You need to consider:

The structure of your house. Is it old or new? Will there be any issues with foundations, walls or roof?

The safety of the location. Are there any dangers nearby, such as busy roads or noisy neighbours?

Views from the extension and how they might change over time if trees grow up around it. This can affect how much light gets into your room after dark (and whether you'll want blinds). It may also mean that you'll want privacy screens on windows at some point in the future - so think about what kind of view is best suited to each room before deciding where exactly those windows should go!

Light and ventilation - these two things go hand-in-hand but are still worth considering separately because they're not always compatible with one another; this means making sure there's enough natural daylight coming through during daytime hours without compromising privacy by having too many windows facing outwards towards neighbouring properties/roads etc.

Decide on the right design for your home extension

Once you've decided on the right design for your home extensions, it's time to think about how big or small you want your extension to be.

It's important to consider the shape and size of your existing house before deciding on a design. This will help ensure that your new space fits into its surroundings without being too big or too small for its setting. 

You may also want to think about what types of rooms or features would work best in each part of the house: for example, if there is plenty of space available outside then perhaps an outdoor room would be ideal; if there isn't much room inside but plenty outside then maybe an outdoor kitchen could work well?

When considering how much space has been taken up by existing structures such as garages (or whether they need replacing), remember that most extensions are designed so they don't take away from these areas - meaning homeowners can still use them after their extensions have been completed!

Conclusion

If you've been looking to add on to your home, we hope this guide has given you some ideas. It really is possible to do it yourself if you have the right tools and know-how. Whether your goal is adding an extra bedroom or converting an attic into living space, we can help!

[eavesyuk-blog]

Types of Dormer Loft Conversions Popular in the UK

Here is an informative infographic that provides information and illustrations of popular types of UK loft conversions. Check out the L Shaped Dormer, the Mansard, the Full-width Dormer and more.

image via - https://sandoconversions.co.uk/blog/8-blog/19-dormer-loft-conversions

[fixizws]

Loft Conversion and House Extension: Enhancing Your Home's Space and Value

As property prices continue to rise, homeowners are increasingly seeking ways to maximize their existing space rather than relocating. Two popular options for achieving this are loft conversions and house extensions. Both offer unique advantages, allowing you to create additional living areas, increase the value of your property, and tailor your home to better suit your needs.

Loft Conversion

A loft conversion is an excellent way to transform unused attic space into a functional living area. This option is particularly appealing for those who want to add an extra bedroom, home office, or playroom without altering the footprint of their home.

There are several types of loft conversions to consider, each with its own set of benefits:

Dormer Loft Conversion: This involves extending the existing roof to create additional floor space and headroom. Dormer conversions are versatile, providing enough room for a bathroom and natural light through windows.

Hip to Gable Loft Conversion: Ideal for homes with a hipped roof, this type of conversion extends the roof's ridge line, effectively transforming a sloped roof into a vertical wall. This increases both the floor space and headroom, making it a popular choice for semi-detached and detached houses.

Mansard Loft Conversion: Typically more expensive but highly effective, Mansard conversions alter the entire roof structure to maximize space. The sloping wall is replaced with a nearly vertical one, offering substantial additional room.

Velux Loft Conversion: Also known as a roof light conversion, this is the most cost-effective option. It involves installing Velux windows without altering the roof's structure. While it doesn’t add as much space as other conversions, it’s less invasive and quicker to complete.

House Extension

House extensions are a more extensive renovation option, ideal for those looking to add significant space to their home. Whether you want a larger kitchen, an additional living room, or an entire new wing, extensions offer endless possibilities. There are several types of house extensions to consider:

Single-Storey Extension: This is the most common type of house extension, typically added to the rear or side of the property. It’s perfect for expanding kitchens, creating open-plan living areas, or adding a new dining room.

Double-Storey Extension: For those needing even more space, a double-storey extension provides two new levels of living area. This type of extension is ideal for adding multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, or a combination of living and sleeping areas.

Wrap-Around Extension: This combines a side and rear extension to create a large, L-shaped space. Wrap-around extensions are perfect for creating an expansive kitchen and living area, with plenty of natural light and access to the garden.

Over-Structure Extension: This involves building over an existing structure, such as a garage or a single-storey extension. It’s an efficient way to add space without using up garden or yard space.

Choosing the Right Option

The choice between a loft conversion and a house extension depends on your specific needs, budget, and property layout. A loft conversion is generally less expensive and quicker to complete, making it ideal for those needing additional bedrooms or a small office. On the other hand, a house extension offers more flexibility and space, making it suitable for larger families or those looking to create a significant change in their home's layout.

Conclusion

Both loft conversions and house extensions are excellent ways to enhance your home's space and value. By carefully considering your needs, the type of property you own, and your budget, you can choose the best option to create a home that meets your lifestyle requirements and increases its market appeal. Whether you're looking to create a cozy attic retreat or a spacious new living area, these home improvement options offer endless possibilities for customization and comfort.

[benitorcompany]

Benitor is a leading Barnet loft conversions company specialising in loft conversion in London. Loft conversion is done to make the use of small unused space at the top of your home and turning it into a practical living space. We offer different ranges of Loft Conversion types in Barnet, North London that includes, dormer, mansard, hip to gable, L-shaped and velux loft conversions etc. Contact us at 0207 101 4646 | contact@benitor.co.uk

[buildjoylimited]

Which type of loft conversion is ideal for your home?

Have you ever heard about loft conversions? You might be or might not. To familiarize you with this term, here's its sweet and simple meaning. It is an extra room added to the roof of the home. As more and more people are becoming familiar with this term, they are implementing it in their homes. If you are planning a home renovation, consider loft conversions in London. It is a simple and quick way to give your home a beautiful look. In addition to making your house more appealing, it will also increase its resale value. If you are planning to implement it in your home, firstly understand the different types of loft conversions from which you can choose one for your home.  

Dormer loft conversions

This is one of the common types of loft conversion that most people carry out in their homes. In this type of project, the slope of your roof creates a box-like shape. A few changes are required in this type of loft conversion, and it uses conventional windows. One of the benefits of using these is they can add headroom and get extra space. It is a cost-effective method to enjoy an attractive house.

L-shaped loft conversions

It is the best way to create additional space in your home. One of the benefits of using this is it adds additional headrooms. It constructs two dormers that connect to a dormer. If you want to separate your bathroom from your bedroom, this is the best type of all.  

Roof light loft conversion

Are you tight on spending the budget? No need to worry roof light loft conversion is for you. For those people who want minimal construction, this type will help you. It adds windows to your existing space, making the place more liveable. It will give you a little extra space.

 Mansard loft conversion

This type of headroom is created using a shared wall with the neighbors. These are usually found at the back of the property and are mostly used in terraced houses. This type of loft conversion requires proper planning and takes a lot of time to construct. One more point you need to know is these are the most expensive loft conversions.

We have guided all loft conversion types, from dormers to mansards. It is the time to utilize your extra space in the home. When you are preparing your home for it, you have to consider various factors, like floor space, the height of the roof, angle, budget, and houses nearby. Keep all these things in mind and evaluate this before the project come into effect. You may need to hire a professional for

loft creation in London

They will guide you in everything from the type of conversion you should have in your home to the budget and how to implement everything. To reduce your workload, here is a company that can help in every aspect -

Builds Joy

They are specialists in building the home and loft conversions. Contact them by visiting their site and enjoy a completely new appearance of your home

https://www.buildjoy.co.uk/design-build

[proficiencyltd]

Different Types Of Loft Conversions In London

A loft conversion in London is an ideal way for homeowners to gain more space. Depending on the dimensions, there may be room for extra bedrooms, a home office, or a playroom. Sometimes it is more cost effective to extend in London than to move and with a loft conversion, you can get the most out of our property.

The most common design considerations that will have to be resolved before starting are:

Access

Ceiling height

Lighting issues

Services

Building regulations related to safety and floor strength

Planning permission

Types of Loft Conversions to Consider

There are three basic types of loft conversions and the type most suitable for your home will depend on:

The type of roof

Your budget

What the loft will be used for

The three basic types of conversions are Internal, Dormer, and Roof-Off loft conversions. Internal loft conversions are the most cost-effective as they require a minimum amount of building intervention. However, because of the additional space they can provide, dormer conversions are the most common, even though they require some building work to be done. Full roof removal and build conversions are the most expensive and complex but provide the most flexibility.

View one of our loft conversion project in London: https://www.proficiencyltd.co.uk/loft-conversions-twickenham.html

1.    Internal Loft Conversions

Very little alterations to the roof space are required and the additions normally include windows created in the existing roof slope, strengthening of the floor, and insulation. This is the cheapest and easiest type of conversion to consider.

2.    Dormer Loft Conversions

Dormer conversions are usually added to the rear of a home, but they can be added to the side or front if you get planning permission. Windows are added to create volume in the roof space and dormers can provide full headspace. 

Different types of dormers include:

-    Single dormers

-    Side dormers for homes with a hipped roof

-    Hip-to-Gable dormers involve replacement of one or more hips with a gable wall and the roof is extended to add extra space and full head height

-    Full-Width dormers fully maximises available roof space

-    L-Shape dormers are only suitable for terraced houses with a rear addition like Victorian style homes but are the best loft conversion for the most space.  It involves two dormers that meet to form a right-angled L-shape. This type of conversion allows you to virtually replicate your first-floor space with the possibility of three or four new rooms.

3.   Roof-Off Loft Conversions

This type of conversion requires the removal of the roof and a rebuild. It includes Mansard conversions where both slopes of a roof are replaced with a new structure. It is suitable where the original roof has little or no headroom.

Where the vertical space is limited, the roof structure can be replaced with a larger roof or pre-fabricated trusses can be craned into place to form a “room in the roof”. The roof is then constructed around the trusses. 

These are the basic loft conversions but there are many other options available that result in interesting space advantages in lofts. Proficiency have done various loft conversions in London and some of the project are available to view onsite and in our project page.  

[buildifyltd]

What is a hip to gable loft conversion?

For detached or semi-detached homes with a hip roof, a hip to gable conversion is always a popular alternative. A hipped roof has a slanted side in addition to the slopes at the front and back of the building. You build the bottom of the side slope up vertically and extend the existing ridge to create a gable end when doing a hip to gable. This greatly expands your existing loft space, frequently giving enough for a new stairs. A hip to gable is not ideal for mid-terraced homes because of its design, which would never have a hip end roof.

Because you’re stretching out the side-sloped roof on hip to gable conversions, you get a lot more living space. Hip to gable loft conversions can also be paired with rear dormer and L-shaped loft conversions, allowing you to fully realize the potential of your home.

A hip to gable conversion’s exterior finish options include tile, slate, rendered, and cladding. If you choose tile or slate, the kind will be determined on the job site to ensure that it fits the current roof as closely as feasible. If a rendered finish is desired, we have professional plasterers who can produce a variety of render designs to match your current one. If you choose brick, the type of brick will be chosen to fit the existing brickwork. Fascias, soffits, gutters, and windows are among the other exterior finishes that will be as close to the original as feasible. This way, the hip to gable conversion will appear to have always been a part of the original structure.

How much does it cost to convert a hip to gable loft?

The price of a hip-to-gable loft conversion can vary depending on your goals. A hip-to-gable conversion, on the other hand, will normally cost between £42,000 and £65,000 on average. This pricing only includes the cost of constructing a loft conversion to a plastered finish, as well as all heating, plumbing, and electrical work. Internal fixtures and fittings, such as a bathroom suite or flooring, are not included. Contact us today for a personalized price and to schedule a Get A Free Quote today.

Planning permission for hip to gable loft conversion?

A Certificate of Lawfulness allows you to build a hip to gable conversion if your property has allowed development rights. This certificate indicates that you do not need to wait for the application to be accepted before beginning construction as long as you follow the council’s standards. You’ll need to get planning permission if you don’t have approved development rights. You can’t start working on a project until planning clearance has been granted. After the council has validated a planning application, it should issue a decision within eight weeks. Buildify ltd will determine which permissions are required and will submit the appropriate applications on your behalf to gain the necessary approval.

Is it possible to have a hip roof on a loft conversion? A loft conversion with a hipped roof is doable, and you would often extend the loft conversion by adding a dormer to the back slope of the roof. Only detached or semi-detached homes are suitable for a hip to gable loft conversion.

How do you convert a hip to gable loft? A hip to gable loft conversion involves changing the way the current roof is physically supported and using timber and tiles to create a new area for the loft conversion, which necessitates the use of expert loft conversion professionals.

Is it legal to convert a hip to a gable loft conversion? Permitted development is not available for all hip to gable loft conversions, as it depends on whether the loft fits the requirements. This includes how much room is being added, whether the ridge height has been reached, and whether you are in a flat or conservation region.

What is the cost of converting a hip roof to a gable roof? A hip to gable loft conversion, which costs roughly £35-40K on average, can be used to convert a hip roof to a gable roof. The more frequent option is to combine the addition of a rear dormer with the addition of a front dormer. This would cost between £42 and £65K.

How long does it take to create a hip to gable loft conversion?

A hip to gable loft conversion can take anywhere from four and a half to six weeks to complete on average.

[houserenovation1]

Why Are Loft Conversions Very Useful for Your Building?

Housing is consistently becoming expensive in many cities. Many people have a dream to own spacious new homes, but their dreams may not realize due to rising prices. An unutilized, non-functional space can be transformed into a functional space. Loft conversions are one of the most popular forms of home improvement in the United Kingdom as a result of their numerous perceived benefits. New and simplified planning regulations caused surged to this trend in 2015 in this country.

Loft conversions

A loft conversion or an attic conversion is the process of transforming an empty attic space or loft into a functional room, typically used as a bedroom, office space, a gym, or storage space. Loft conversions are sometimes considered DIY activity. Still, the installation is a complicated process because of the large amount of work involved. Many people choose to contract a specialist company to undertake the task. Often, up to 30% of a property’s potential space is located within the loft area. Loft conversions are, thus, very beneficial for homeowners. They even increase the value of your home by up to 20%.

Types The common loft conversion types are roof window conversion, dormer conversion,mansard conversion, hip to gable conversion, hipped roof conversion, gambrel conversion, and Velux conversion. It depends on your requirements and budget as well. However, building control regulations cannot be ignored in any situation.

Design and build

Let’s discuss the design and build of some most used loft conversions.

 Velux conversion is an extremely cost-effective way to add another bedroom to your home. In this type, Velux windows are installed to provide natural light.

 Dormer loft conversions project vertically from the existing roofline. They are a cost-effective way to enlarge your home. It is useful for the creation of more functional floor space and headroom. They are often used to provide two substantial bedrooms and even an en-suite.

 L-shaped dormer loft conversions are suitable for the properties where different sections of the building create an L-shape. They are excellent for providing large functional floor space.

 Mansard conversions are more expensive than other alternatives, Still, Mansard loft is considered better than a dormer extension from the perspective of aesthetic.

[lcrenovation]

We can make your right choice when choosing loft conversion specialists in London. You can be assured that we can take care of everything including design drafts, planning permissions from your local council and build your loft conversion to your desired expectations, time and budget. TYPES OF LOFT CONVERSION popular types of loft conversion you can consider are Dormer, Mansard, L shape Mansard, Hip to Gable and Velux. Consideration is taken on existing roof layout, and certain restrictions that apply will allow us to find out what type of loft conversion you will be going to with the local authority going forward.

[londonroofingbuilding-blog]

Those having limited living space always dream of having a bigger and spacious home, though at times pocket doesn’t allow approaching the same and have compromising with what you have becomes the only option. We often stuff things at different corners but forget about the redundant attic space which can be utilized to make the most out of it. Local loft conversion is the easiest way to increase spacing in house.

When it comes to loft conversion, one can utilize this space as a room to either deck belongings in a convenient way or it can even be utilized as a small room for an isolated living. Also, as the family expends the need of individual space increases, thus loft can be of greater benefits with space point of view. This space can contribute in making entertainment zone by installation of mini home theater and just a done look with dazzling colorful lights. To invest in loft conversion is one of the best idea, but one should be having expectations from this space and hence should be built accordingly.

Limitations in loft conversion

However, such lofts are built according as per the permitted limit of planning authorities with certain restrictions which should be followed. Hiring qualified architecture and builders for the some would help in complying the accomplishment of such task as projected project by authorities. To get such lofts build, one need to an involvement of both architect and a structural engineer who can help in utilizing space beneficially. 

Types of loft

There are multiple different ideas which work for loft conversion. Such easy to approach and common lofts are L-Shaped Loft Conversion, Mansard Loft Conversion, Hip to Gable Loft Conversion, Dormer Loft Conversion and Velux Loft Conversion etc. one can pick the best out of these to expend space optimally for improved functionality. However, loft conversion cost may vary as per the area coverage for which one can ask for suggestions for expert loft contractors.

For more information: - http://londonroofingbuilding.co.uk

Address:-  Borehamwood, WD6 1DS

[loftlifelondon-blog]

How Much Value Can Bespoke Loft Conversions Add To Your Property?

Need additional space to meet the growing needs of your family? Increasing the living space of your property can be the perfect solution. Bespoke loft conversions in Bromley can be the ideal choice for homeowners looking to add more space to their property since it makes better use of existing space. What’s more, converting a loft can even add value to your house.

In crowded urban areas, building large lateral extensions to any residential property can often be impractical since you are unlikely to get planning permission. Getting your loft converted can thus be your ideal option since you will not need permission in most cases. Be it your need for storage or living space, converting the loft can add significant value to your house. This makes loft conversion a great home improvement decision for every property owner.

Here’re a few useful tips for every homeowner contemplating a plunge.

Loft Conversions In Bromley: Factors To Consider Before Taking The Plunge

1.      Establish A Budget

One of the foremost considerations to take into account before getting started with the project is the budget. In addition to factoring in the cost of getting the loft converted by a specialist, you should budget for possible overspend too. Experts suggest that you need a contingency fund of approximately 10% for problems which may emerge once the work starts.

2.      Check If You Need Planning Permission

When contemplating loft conversions in Lewisham, a good way to get started with the project is visiting the planning page of your local authority’s website. Though the approval of the planning permission is not needed in most cases, it is always recommended to check. People living in the conservation areas may require planning permission for some kind of loft conversion.

3.      Decide On The Kind Of Loft Conversion

Another vital factor to keep in mind is to decide whether you wish to incorporate a special type of loft or just the simplest possible loft conversion. While the former can somewhat be expensive, they will add more value to your house. You can choose from numerous loft types like – dormer, velux, gable and l-shaped loft conversion.

4.      Get Quotes From Specialists

A key consideration to keep in mind is to get quotes from at least 3-4 contractors so that you can compare them to make an informed decision. Check each contractor’s portfolio to have a fair idea of what it is like to seek the services of the company. Ensure you choose a specialist who has years of experience in loft conversions in Bromley.

5.      Take A Realistic View

You need to have a realistic view of how long the home improvement project will take. The best thing about getting a loft converted is that the majority of the work can be accessed from the roof, thus minimising disruption. Ensure you inquire about the timeframe of the project from the specialist before making any decision so that you can have a realistic idea.

Time to opt for loft conversions in South East London and increase the value of your house!

[veiltray63-blog]

Lost Buildings of 2018

A record-breaking 400+ demolition permits were approved by the City of Philadelphia in 2018 despite empty promises of better preservation policies by Mayor Jim Kenney and our deceptively superficial “World Heritage City” designation. | Photo: Michael Bixler

A city churns. It evolves and adapts to economic and political change, new technology, to taste and ideas. In Philadelphia the churning takes on a particular character, of accretion over time, so that one can observe the city’s layers while walking down the street. Having these rich and abundant layers means that old buildings regularly acquire new forms or are sometimes demolished and replaced. Occasionally in this city’s history that process has happened at grand scale. Indeed, we wouldn’t have skyline unless this were so. Nor university campuses. Nor a Parkway with an array of architecture that spans from 1901 to 2012.

Demolition helps create the layers, but so, critically, does preservation and adaptation. When these processes are out-of-balance, Philadelphia begins to lose its character. Shed too many layers too quickly and the city risks much more: vital touching stones of history, lived experience, and iconic beauty. All this is sacrificed for mostly roughshod contemporary buildings that reveal the city’s poverty more than anything else. As we come to the end of 2018, a record year for demolition with over 400 permits granted to private real estate developers, preservation is in crisis. Without an adequate legal mechanism for delaying the issuing of demolition permits, allowing the Historical Commission to rule on a building’s significance, this crisis is likely to continue.

Real estate developers, exploiting the city’s once pioneering, but now weak preservation laws and inadequate Historical Commission, the budget-draining Ten Year Tax Abatement law for new construction and owners of legacy properties hoping to cash out quick, are wreaking havoc seemingly everywhere, punching holes in the streetscape wherever they can at an increasing rate. They are likely motivated by a finite real estate boom and the prospect of tighter preservation rules that could emerge from the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Task Force, which released its findings to Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council yesterday. No one who has experienced the wanton loss of significant buildings these past few years while public officials stood by silently should expect swift action. The Task Force itself took 18 months to complete its work.

What was lost during those 18 months? More than one intact 19th century mill complex, including the Frankford Chocolate factory, a Breyers Ice Cream factory, Christ Memorial Church, Mario Lanza’s childhood home, Webb’s Department Store, and the Christian Street Baptist Church in South Philadelphia. These are some of the most painful losses of the year, but there are dozens of others across the city, like the early 19th century, vernacular Georgian-style brick homes with central dormers at 1520 Frankford Avenue in Fishtown and 1347-49 Kater Street in Hawthorne. Here our contributors and staff have documented 24 of them. The lost buildings list is an annual tradition (omitting 2017) at Hidden City Daily, something we must do, if only to account for the loss during this period of profound change.

See Lost Buildings 2012, 2013 (Part One and Two), 2014, 2015, and 2016.

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Howell & Brothers Factory/Frankford Chocolate Company in Graduate Hospital | Photo: Peter Woodall

Name: Howell & Brothers Factory/Frankford Chocolate Company Address: 2101 Washington Avenue, Graduate Hospital Dates: 1865-1900s Architect: N/A The Story: Long before it became, by some accounts, the most prolific maker of chocolate bunnies in the world, this block-long red-brick industrial loft began life as the Howell & Brothers Paper Hangings Manufactory, one of the nation’s largest and most innovative Victorian-era wallpaper factories. But only five months after it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and poised for rehabilitation, the former Frankford Chocolate Company factory on Washington Avenue was demolished by new owner Ori Feibush after portions of the 150-year-old landmark were declared imminently dangerous by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. The Philadelphia Historical Commission was reviewing a nomination to protect the building at the time of its demolition, but its authority to do so was superseded by the L&I declaration. Former owners believed the building was structurally sound before its sale to Feibush, who resisted calls for an independent engineering analysis before demolition commenced. Apartments, townhomes, and retail are planned for the site.

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Christ Memorial Reformed Church in West Philadelphia | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Christ Memorial Reformed Church Address: 4233 Chestnut Street, West Philadelphia Dates: 1887 Architect: Isaac Pursell The Story: Even without its original 170-foot steeple, which collapsed after being struck by lightning in 2004, the former Christ Memorial Reformed Church in West Philadelphia was one of the city’s most impressive and monumental Gothic Revival churches. Although the main sanctuary was damaged and never fully repaired following the collapse, an attached seminary, rectory and chapel remained occupied until this year. Local developer Guy Laren purchased the church in 2007 for $712,000 and made minimal repairs to the complex. After quietly securing a demolition permit this April, he sold the site to New York-based 4233 Chestnut LLC for $10.5 million. The demolition permit preempted efforts to nominate the building, widely considered the masterpiece of prolific church architect Isaac Pursell, for listing on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Complete demolition of the entire complex began this fall and remains in progress. Development plans for the CMX-4 site have not yet been announced, although a by-right apartment tower is likely.  

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Christian Street Baptist Church in Bella Vista | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Christian Street Baptist Church/Protestant Episcopal Italian Mission and Church of L’Emmanuello Address: 1024 Christian Street, Bella Vista Dates: 1890 Architect: Frank Rushmore Watson The Story: Condominiums are planned for the former site of Christian Street Baptist Church, designed by Frankford native Frank R. Watson and built by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century as the Protestant Episcopal Italian Mission and Church of L’Emmanuello. The beloved neighborhood landmark was demolished by Ori Feibush’s OCF Realty after a nomination to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places failed due to an obscure technicality in the city’s historic preservation ordinance. Although the Philadelphia Historical Commission voted 5-4 in favor of protecting the building from demolition, abstentions by two commissioners actually left the motion short of the required majority of those present. After discovering this technicality days after the Commission meeting, OCF then applied for and received a demolition permit, rejecting a preservation-minded buyer’s matching offer before razing the church and selling the vacant lot for redevelopment. 

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Creswell Iron Works in Logan Square | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Creswell Iron Works  Address: 113 North 23rd Street, Logan Square Dates: 1840-1884 Architect: N/A The Story: Creswell Iron Works was demolished earlier this summer despite being historic, adaptable, and in good shape. The 133-year-old distinctive cluster of industrial buildings was one of the last industrial relics left in Logan Square. The foundry has long been a magnet for artists and creative types. Parts of the iron works has been used for a recording studio, a speakeasy, band practice space, a car detailing shop, overnight food truck parking, and storage. A conversion of the buildings into apartments failed due to the 2007 recession. The foundry continued to be used for a mixed martial arts club, artist studios, and apartments. Tenants were evicted after L&I approved a demolition permit in April. Plan for the parcel includes 16 new residential units and a parking garage.

S.J. Creswell Iron Works was founded in 1835 and specialized in architectural iron products, specifically columns, lintels, brackets, girders, and stairways. The company also made castings for wood and iron bridges. Manhole covers with vault lighting made by the company can still be spotted in Center City as can others bearing the Creswell name. After stints at different locations on Race Street the company settled in at 113-27 North 23rd Street, the former site of a tannery and machine shop, in 1885. At peak production the entire iron works complex employed over 85 workers and spanned 23rd Street down to Race Street.

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U.S. Tire Company Building in Callowhill | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: U.S. Tire Company Building Address: 329 North Broad Street, Callowhill Date: 1911 Architect: George Pauling & Company The Story: When the Pennsylvania Ballet first announced plans for a new home on North Broad Street in 2007, it pledged a full restoration of the former U.S. Tire Company Building, a handsome four-story industrial loft clad in gleaming white terra cotta. This promise was reaffirmed in 2012, when the ballet controversially demolished the adjacent Willys-Overland Motor Company building for new dance studios. Both buildings were listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Callowhill Industrial Historic District, and ballet officials then cited their commitment to restore the U.S. Tire Building as justification for the demolition of Willys-Overland. But in 2018, after more than a decade of inaction and deferred maintenance, the Ballet unceremoniously razed the U.S. Tire Company Building as well, claiming the structure no longer fit into their plans for the site. These plans have not been made public and the site is now a vacant lot.    

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Philadelphia Transit Company Substation | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Philadelphia Transit Company Substation Address: 613-23 N. Front Street Date: Early 20th century Architect: N/A The Story: This fetching industrial building at 613-23 N. Front Street was likely built by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company in the 1920s, yet it’s specific origins and architect remains unconfirmed. The parcel the building sits on was originally owned by the People’s Traction Company in the late 1800s. By 1940 it was owned and used as a power substation by the Philadelphia Transit Company. The building was is beautiful shape inside and out after it was renovated for potential office space. However, it lingered on the rental market and sat vacant for roughly five years. It was sold in 2016 to developer Michael Grasso of Metro Development who planned to demolish the building despite requiring a zoning variance for a planned Super Wawa gas station and a 350-car garage. The Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association, Central Delaware Advocacy Group, and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation all oppose the plan. Grasso went ahead and destroyed the adaptable substation anyway. 

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Lycoming in East Falls | Photo: Bradley Maule

Name: Lycoming Address: 3005 West School House Lane, East Falls Dates: 1907 Architect: Wilson Eyre The Story: As West School House Lane meanders down toward the Schuylkill from Germantown to East Falls, a bucolic landscape emerges to span these urban neighborhoods. This quiet setting nestled near the Wissahickon Valley became a haven in the 19th century for emerging industrialists, including Quakers like Justice Strawbridge, to establish private homes on larger lots than typically found in Philadelphia. The result was an enclave of country estates on a curbless road well within the city limits, maximizing proximity to commercial activity as well as a quiet retreat from it. Lycoming was the wistfully-named homestead of William Jay Turner, an attorney who in 1907 commissioned renowned architect Wilson Eyre, Jr., to design a house in the latter’s popular English cottage idiom within a setting of large shade trees. With distinctive Arts and Crafts details and stucco-clad out-buildings, including a combination stable and car garage, Lycoming expressed a gentleman’s country retreat at a transition point between the Gilded Age and World War I.

In 2018, it is a different Quaker who is now shaping the landscape of West School House Lane. Despite heritage principles of “mutual respect, equality, and community,” current property owner William Penn Charter School has destroyed Lycoming and a few of its old growth, shade trees in order to realign a playing field for the decidedly un-Quaker sport of football. Turner had bequeathed the house to serve as a home for “aged and needy gentlewomen.” Yet, the oldest school in Philadelphia sought not to incorporate this architectural patrimony into its sprawling campus after purchasing Lycoming in 2016. Instead, they have joined the unsustainable actions of Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) who in 2006 demolished the delightful residence “Red Gate” by Germantown architect George T. Pearson for railroad magnate Frederick Kimball. Through these selective demolitions, this stretch of West School House Lane between Henry and Wissahickon Avenues has all but completed its transformation into a private school thoroughfare. Don’t be surprised if gates and a guardhouse go up at either boundary street one day.

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Mario Lanza Home in Bella Vista | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Mario Lanza Childhood Home Address: 636 Christian Street, Bella Vista Dates: N/A Architect: N/A The Story: What happens when existing buildings with historical markers meet the wrecking ball? Nothing, nada, niente. Much like the inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, state markers provide zero legal protection to historic structures in Philadelphia. In July, the childhood home of opera singer and MGM Studios personality Mario Lanza, located at 636 Christian Street and differentiated by a state marker, was demolished to make way for residential development.

Mario Lanza, born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza in 1921, performed with the YMCA’s in-house opera company and attended Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, Massachusetts as a teen before debuting professionally in 1942 at the age of 21. The Italian American tenor’s fledgling career was interrupted, however, when Lanza was drafted during WWII.

By 1945, he was singing again, performing throughout the United States with well-known contemporaries. He eventually captivated Hollywood luminaries such as Louis B. Mayer (cofounder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios). It was Mayer that signed Lanza, launching a decade-long career in film that would assure his place as “the most famous tenor in the world” and “the last of the great romantic performers.”

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Schweiker Building in Brewerytown | Photo: Peter Woodall

Name: W.G. Schweiker Metal Cornice and Skylight Works Address: 2623 West Jefferson Street, Brewerytown Dates: 1880s-90s Architect: N/A The Story:

Let’s start with the human tragedy here: North Philly contractor Harvey Figgs died in early June when part of the Schweiker building collapsed during demolition. The building had been classified as unsafe by L&I in 2017. No negligence on demolition company Gama Wrecking’s part has been reported, however we might point out that for all of L&I’s concern with buildings spontaneously collapsing, several recent incidents show that the demolition process itself is also hazardous. Along with the Salvation Army building collapse at 22nd and Market that cost six people their lives, there was the chunk of the former Whitman Chocolate factory at 4th and Race that fell on top of an empty school bus in 2016 during demolition. And this year, a chunk of the former Frankford Chocolate Factory at 21st and Washington fell onto adjacent power lines causing a electrical outage for nearby residents.

The Schweiker building itself was a marvel of pressed metal, a corner row house with a mansard roof topped by an supersized cornice advertising the firm’s products: “Skylights, Cornices, Heaters & Ranges.” And like the tile and stone dealers on Washington Avenue that cover their facades with products they sell, so too did Schweiker. The building’s exterior was sheathed in metal made to look like stone blocks. Inside, metal wainscoting covering the walls from top to bottom; the crown molding was made of metal as was the coffered ceiling. A small sign for “Rev. Prewitt’s Auto Service” added a layer of strangeness. MM Partners had planned to redevelop the property into 10 live-work spaces but the company wound up selling the building in 2017 to Rollup LLC of Churchville, PA. A four-unit apartment building is planned for the site.

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Philadelphia Pneumatic Tool Company in North Philadelphia | Photo: Peter Woodall

Name: Philadelphia Pneumatic Tool Company Address: 2040 West Lippincott Street, North Philadelphia Dates: 1902 Architect: N/A The Story: This building was constructed in 1902 for the Philadelphia Pneumatic Tool Company founded by inventor Julius Keller. Keller immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1880 and worked for several years as a tool manufacturer before filing for several patents and establishing his own company. According to a contemporary trade publication, he was considered one of the country’s leading experts on pneumatic tools, having designed and built some of the earliest chipping and riveting hammers, rammers, and drills using compressed air. Keller’s family eventually moved west, and his company was absorbed by the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. After Keller’s company left, the building served as the Brown-Phelps Hosiery Company, then a warehouse for B.F. Goodrich, and lastly a plant for the Ero Manufacturing Company. By 2018, the building was vacant. On May 17, a five-alarm fire tore through the building and required 200 firefighters to put it out. By the time the smoke cleared, the structure had partially collapsed, and L&I subsequently deemed the building to be imminently dangerous.

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PW&B Swing Bridge No. 1 in Grays Ferry | Photo: Bradley Maule

Name: PW&B Swing Bridge No. 1 Address: Schuylkill River at Grays Ferry Avenue, Grays Ferry Dates: 1902 Architect: American Bridge Company The Story: The Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1 was a swing steel truss that once connected Grays Ferry with Southwest Philadelphia. Built in 1902, the rail bridge served PW&B, Penn Central, and Conrail during it’s years of active use. Conrail abandoned the Bridge in 1976 and left it permanently open over the Schuylkill River. In 2012, plans took shape to reuse and incorporate the 116-year-old swing bridge into the Schuylkill River Trail master plan to connect Gray’s Ferry Crescent Trail with Bartram’s Mile. Conrail transferred ownership of the bridge to the City in 2017. An engineering assessment of the old swing bridge deemed it unfit to repurpose. It has been dismantled and will be replaced with a pedestrian boardwalk that will replicate the general look of the original steel truss.   

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Breyers Ice Cream Factory Stables in North Philadelphia | Photo: Peter Woodall

Name: Breyers Ice Cream Factory Stables Address: 901 West Cumberland Street, North Philadelphia Dates: 1908 Architect: N/A The Story: The former Breyers Ice Cream Factory Stables was demolished by the City in September after being flagged as imminently dangerous by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. This four-story concrete loft was the last surviving remnant of a sprawling Breyer Ice Cream factory established in 1904 at the corner of 9th and Cumberland Streets. It was constructed in 1916 as a stable and storage loft for Breyer’s famous horse-drawn delivery wagons. The building was later expanded and converted into a Cushman Sons bakery in the late 1920s after Breyer’s shifted production to a new factory in West Philadelphia. The rest of the complex was demolished and replaced by Veterans Playground in the 1950s. The building was most recently owned by the Church of the Living God Healing and Miracle Center.      

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Arctic Cold Storage/Kensington Brewery in Fishtown | Photo: Peter Woodall

Name: Arctic Cold Storage Co./Kensington Brewery Brew House Address: 1224 Frankford Avenue, Fishtown Dates: 1874–1897 Architect: N/A The Story: The former Arctic Cold Storage Co., one of Fishtown’s last historic brewery buildings, is currently being razed after scaffolding clung to the facade for years. Fishtown developer Roland Kassis originally planned to repurpose 1224 Frankford Avenue for his long-stalled hotel project, but recently eliminated it from the plan due to the building’s three-foot-thick walls and low ceilings. The original Leopold Street building where Moritz Ruoff began brewing in 1874 will be saved and incorporated into the 114-room boutique hotel. Artist Shepard Fairey’s mural “Lotus Diamond,” painted on the north-facing party wall in 2014, is now completely destroyed.

William Heimgartner bought the brewery from Ruoff in 1889. Heimgartner was producing over 5,000 barrels of beer a year by the time he acquired the property fronting Frankford Avenue in 1897. There he built a seven-story brew house in a decorative Italiante style. Kensington Brewery became Frankford Avenue Brewery two years after Heimgartner’s death in 1907. Protobrewing Company bought the buildings in 1910 and employed some 82 workers to manufacture liquors and malts until the company went bankrupt in 1917. It briefly served as a pickle factory until Arctic Cold Storage Co. bought the old brewery in 1925. The cold storage facility operated until the mid-1990s.  

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Button Building in Old City | Photo: Tyler Putnam

Name: Button Building Address: 239 Chestnut Street, Old City Dates: 1852 Architect: Stephen Decatur Button The Story: The five-story building at 239 Chestnut Street was felled by a four-alarm fire on February 18, 2018, and it wins the dubious honor of “Lost Building With the Worst Domino Effects.” The building was located on a bustling block in Old City Philadelphia across from the Museum of the American Revolution and its loss was bad for its residents, bad for its neighbors, and bad for business. Around 160 people were evacuated in the fire, and several pets died. For months after the fire, residential and commercial tenants of 239 Chestnut Street and the flanking buildings have coped with fire and water damage to their structures. They have also been subjected to street and sidewalk closures that have deterred visitors to the shops and restaurants on the block, including The Little Lion (which remains closed), Gina’s 45, Amada, Xenos, Old City Tobacco Company, and Capofitto. In the case of the latter, the fire at 239 Chestnut Street was ultimately a nail in the coffin for the whole family of Capogiro stores, all which closed their doors on December 9, 2018.

239 Chestnut Street was constructed in 1852 and designed by Stephen Decatur Button. It was known for its cast-iron façade. Building owners plan to reconstruct the first-floor façade based on laser scans conducted before the fire-damaged structure was demolished. But even so, the loss of this building has left a significant hole in Old City—one that’s bigger than its simple building footprint.

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Leo Razzi Machine Shop in Northern Liberties | Photo: Peter Woodall

Name: Leo Razzi Machine Shop Address: 1018-1022 Germantown Avenue, Northern Liberties Dates: 1900 Architect: N/A The Story: When Leo Razzi purchased a dilapidated former wagon works on a wedge of land between Germantown Avenue and New Market Street in 1999, the area was a post-industrial wasteland of vacant lots and abandoned factories, including the shuttered Schmidt’s Brewery complex a stone’s throw away. By the time Razzi passed away earlier this year, the swim club across the street was serving $795 bottles of Dom Perignon Rose, and his building, which served as both his home and workshop, was conspicuous for the rusting machinery out front and second story windows open to the elements. A union electrician who moved to Philly in the 1990s, Razzi found creative freedom thanks to Northern Liberties��� cheap real estate along with dozens of other artists and artisans during that pre-Piazza era. He would go on to build a business fabricating custom metalwork, from signs for nearby bars and restaurants, to oftentimes whimsical fences, bike racks, window grills and even decorative bollards protecting gas meters, many of which still grace the neighborhood.

Razzi’s building was erected around 1900, mostly likely as expanded facilities for Charles Kuhn, a wagon manufacturer. Later tenants included companies making novelties, wax flowers, silver plate and millwork. In the 19th century a brass foundry occupied the site. Although part of the roof had collapsed, the building’s location and the large size of the lot it stood upon, rather than its deteriorating condition, likely made demolition a foregone conclusion.

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Bridget Foy’s in Queen Village | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Bridget Foy’s Address: 200 South Street, Queen Village Dates: 1811-1820 Architect: N/A The Story: The building that housed Bridget Foy’s, a beloved Queen Village restaurant and fixture of the neighborhood for 40 years, held the corner of 2nd and South Streets for nearly 200 years until it caught fire in October 2017. The two-alarm blaze cause irreparable structural damage, a financial burden that property owner John Foy could not bear with a total rehabilitation. Instead, Foy and his family decided to demolish and rebuild the restaurant with a design by Ambit Architecture that is reminiscent of the original structure.

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Webb’s Department Store in Sharswood | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Webb’s Department Store Address: 2152 Ridge Avenue, Sharswood Dates: Late 1800s Architect: N/A The Story: Miles Davis, the Temptations, Richard Pryor, and Al Green all used to swing by Webb’s Department Store back in the day. Sadly, the renowned Black record shop and celebrity hot spot on Ridge Avenue was demolished with zero fanfare. L&I issued an unsafe structure violation on the property in October 2016. A demolition permit was filed in February 2018.

Bruce Cornell Webb, a beloved community figure of North Philly, opened his music store on Ridge Avenue over 40 years ago. Luminaries like Smokey Robinson, Grover Washington Jr., and Joe Frazier frequently stopped by the shop to chat with Webb and take pictures with customers. Webb was also a photographer for Philadelphia’s oldest free Black newspaper, Scoop USA, for 50 years. He died at 83 at Sacred Heart Home on Thanksgiving Day in 2017.

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Poplar Theater in Poplar | Photo: Hidden City Staff

Name: Poplar Theater Address: 517-33 Poplar Street, Poplar Dates: 1916 Architect: Carl P. Berger The Story: In November, the former Poplar Theater, located at the northeast corner of 6th and Poplar Streets, was demolished to make way for a 40-unit residential building. Described in 2013 by the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association as an “old ruddy brick warehouse,” the building began life as a single-screen, 850 plus-seat theater that served a predominantly working class Jewish section of Northern Liberties. In fact, renowned Jewish American architect Louis Kahn was employed by the theater as a piano player (piano often accompanied silent pictures) during the 1910s and 1920s.

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Montgomery Theater in Fishtown | Photo: Google Street View

Name: Montgomery Theater Address: 523-27 East Girard Avenue, Fishtown Dates: 1912-2018 Architect: N/A The Story: Since Rachel Hildebrandt took an inventory of Philadelphia’s surviving movie theaters for Hidden City in 2013, roughly 10 theaters of 145 have been demolished. In January, the former Montgomery Theater, located at 523 E. Girard Avenue, was demolished to make way for a 71-unit apartment building. It was one of several modest theaters that once lined the East Girard Avenue corridor. It was last occupied by Lou Wolff & Sons auto dealership, which purchased the building in 1955 and subsequently leveled the angled floor. The single-screen neighborhood house served the River Wards from 1912 until 1936. Despite its short, 24-year run as a theater, the building retained much of its interior ornament, including its decorative proscenium arch, rosettes that once anchored chandeliers, lobby mural, and mosaic tile nameplate.

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Riley Lumber in Northern Liberties | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name: Riley Lumber Address: 3rd Street and Girard Avenue, Northern Liberties Dates: 1870s-1940s Architect: N/A The Story: J.T. Riley was founded in 1905 and was one of oldest continually operating lumber merchants in Philadelphia when the family closed the business in 2014. Now all that it left is Riley’s classic, mid-century sign. In 2015, the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association approved plans for 20 apartments and 3,100 square feet of retail space in a mixed use project. The small collection of sheds and one-story buildings was finally cleared this year to make way for the new development. The lumberyard’s removal is part of a long list of cumulative losses that has nearly erased Northern Liberties’ industrial heritage.

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Ridge Home Furnishers/Engine 36 Firehouse in Sharswood | Photo: Peter Woodall

Name: Ridge Home Furnishers/Engine 36 Firehouse Address: 2050 Ridge Avenue, Sharswood Dates: N/A Architect: N/A The Story: The history of Sharswood is a particularly poignant one. In the shadow of Girard College, the neighborhood is bisected by Ridge Avenue, an ancient Lenape trail. In antebellum Philadelphia, Ridge became an early arterial road to a collection of rural cemeteries including Laurel Hill and Mt. Vernon. As such, the road was densely lined with commercial properties including marble yards and iron works that catered to this new industry of death. It was a dense row house neighborhood populated initially by German immigrants and dotted with breweries, Vienna bakeries, and liedertafel. It evolved into a middle-class, African American bulwark against encroaching poverty in the mid-20th century, replete with some of the city’s most storied jazz clubs.

The theme of death has returned to the neighborhood again as the Philadelphia Housing Authority has pursued a campaign of rapid, targeted, and often clandestine desecration of the neighborhood’s integrity despite their promises of revitalization.

One of this year’s casualties of the continuing erasure of Sharswood’s early built environment is the structure that held Ridge Home Furnishings at 2050-56 Ridge Avenue. The long-vacant property’s most interesting feature was its mid-century modern signage. The former furniture store was housed in two adjacent buildings and its exterior was completely covered in stucco, hiding any architectural hints at what was underneath. Deemed an unsafe structure earlier this year, the PHA-owned property was sold in an auction over the summer. During the course of recent demolition, a ground level series of Italianate arches was uncovered at the north building revealing it to have been the former Engine 36 firehouse. An elegant, 19th century vestige of neighborhood-scale civic service buildings once again wiped off the map as, across the street, the construction of the out-of-scale PHA headquarters nears completion, forever changing the feel and landscape of beleaguered Sharswood.

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6000 Market Street and 2-14 S. 60th Street, at left, in Haddington | Photo: Theresa Stigale

Name: 6000 Market Street and 2-14 S. 60th Street Address: 6000 Market Street, Haddington Dates: Early 1900s Architect: Anderson and Haupt The Story: For over a century, this three-story mixed-use building wrapped around a significant corner in West Philadelphia. Built in 1909, 6000 Market Street/2-14 S. 60th Street overlooked the 60th Street stop on the El—or, more accurately, the El overlooked it. It was listed a contributing building within the Haddington National Register District, but was not on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. It was designed by the architecture and engineering firm of Anderson and Haupt, who were responsible for at least 45 other projects in Philadelphia, including apartment buildings, synagogues and churches, factories, and several early motion picture theaters. The building at 60th and Market Streets was one of the earlier commissions of their partnership, and its design drew on both Julius J. Anderson’s skills as an architect and Max Haupt’s expertise as an engineer.

Although the industrial village north of the building was known by this time as Haddington, the area around 60th and Market Streets was just beginning to see development by the time this building was constructed. It was part of a wave of new construction in response to the introduction of the Market-Frankford Elevated Line in 1903. The tan, Pompeian brick exterior featured two-story pressed metal bays above the storefronts on both its 60th and Market Street facades, setting off the apartments above. A 1910 classified ad promoted the brand-new living quarters’ “large bright rooms,” replete with bath, steam heat, and janitor service.

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Sea Board Supply Co. Mixing Tower in Grays Ferry | Photo: Google Street View

Name: Sea Board Supply Co. Mixing Tower Address: 3400 Grays Ferry Avenue, Grays Ferry Dates: 1951 Architect: N/A The Story: The corner of 34th and Grays Ferry is an especially busy intersection where traffic to and from I-95 and University City tends to stack up, which has given motorists, perhaps millions of them, time to idly ponder the mysterious concrete tower on the southwest corner. Now that the structure has been demolished, we finally did some research and can answer your mute inquiries. The nearly windowless shaft was erected in 1951 by the Sea Board Supply Co., a producer of crab meal that was used in chicken feed. Prior to that the property was home to the J. Alfred Clark foundry, which produced many of Philadelphia’s manhole covers around the turn of the 20th century. Most recently the lot was used by the B&L Propane Co. According to an article in the Philadelphia Business Journal, the University of Pennsylvania has the property under an agreement of sale, which makes sense given its redevelopment of the DuPont research site across the street into the “Pennovation” campus. 

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 229-231 South 9th Street in Washington Square West | Photo: Michael Bixler

Name:  229-231 South 9th Street Address: 229-231 South 9th Street, Washington Square West Dates: 1925 Architect: Herman H. Kline The Story: This pair of handsome 1920s commercial flats at 9th and Locust Streets had been owned and neglected by Wills Eye Hospital for more than two decades before their ultimate demise this spring. Although neither building was listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, both featured ornate pressed metal bays, undulating Dutch parapets, and vintage storefronts. Three adjacent, and certified historic, early 18th century Federal-style row houses at 223-227 S. 9th are also owned by Wills Eye and have also been left to decay for decades. The older properties remain standing for now, but the hospital has proposed a major new development on the site and has made no promises to keep the remaining historic buildings in place. Demolition of the remaining structures would require a claim of either financial hardship or of public interest by the hospital, which has shown little interest in maintaining the structures or exploring their potential for adaptive reuse.

Source: https://hiddencityphila.org/2018/12/lost-buildings-of-2018/

[loftconversionsuk-blog]

Spacious L- Shape Dormer

This type of conversion is most suited to Victorian and Edwardian properties that tend to have the kitchen and bathroom at the rear. An advantage of the L-shaped conversion is that you are able to replicate your first floor in terms of space and design.