Once built, the consented development will anchor a busy junction beside Kentish Town station, resolving two highly visible elevations that face contrasting contexts. Its brick and stone façade has been carefully detailed to echo neighbouring landmarks, with projecting panels and pigmented concrete frames adding depth and texture. A distinctive set-back prow will rise above the fourth floor, giving the building a clear identity while tying together the varied character of the surrounding streets.
- Location
- Kentish Town, London
- Size
- 14 apartments and 1,000 sqft retail
Originally home to a small car wash, the long-overlooked triangular site had remained underused despite its prominence on the approach to Kentish Town station. The ambition was to transform this constrained plot into a building that contributes positively to the junction, supports local movement patterns and aligns with the Neighbourhood Forum’s vision for a future station square, improved pedestrian links and wider regeneration of the Regis Road and Murphy sites.
Before and After
Careful massing unlocked the potential of the triangular footprint. Stepping in plan and elevation, the form negotiates the shifting urban grain, culminating in the calm, set-back prow that holds the corner without overwhelming it. Each move in the façade adds nuance: recessed and projecting brickwork for shadow and depth, and pigmented concrete frames that catch changing light, giving the building texture and legibility.
The brief called for a high-quality built-to-rent development that could both respect and elevate its context. Drawing cues from local landmarks – The Assembly House, The Bull and Gate and 1 Highgate Road – the design reinterprets familiar proportions and material rhythms in a contemporary way. The goal was to create a robust, civic-minded building that feels rooted in its setting while signalling Kentish Town’s continued evolution.
At ground level, the commercial frontage animates the street and strengthens the route to the station, while the residential floors above are planned for daylight, privacy and outlook. Durable materials, refined proportions and layered detailing ensure the building will age gracefully. With consent secured, the project is set to deliver a characterful, future-facing addition to Kentish Town – a small but significant marker in the area’s long-term transformation.
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