Guildford
Street
This allowed us to determine a suitable appearance and scale for the scheme. It was also essential to collaborate with Council and Transport consultants to justify a suitable travel/parking plan in the absence of on-site parking. Our solution features a good provision of cycle storage which will encourage more sustainable travel, enclosed refuse storage and an external landscaped courtyard.
The materials on the facade take influence from the surrounding materiality and are of high quality and long lasting contemporary architectural detailing, rather than an imitation of the historic styles. The building design has been carefully considered drawing on the historic influences around the site within the context of the conservation area.
Guildford Street in Luton is a residential scheme of 177 high quality 1-, 2- and 3- bed apartments and two commercial units at ground level. It was commissioned by Merchant Taylor and Nexus Planning with a value of £26m. Planning was granted in early 2023 with an expected completion date of early 2025.
Our challenge was to convert an existing car park (that had previously been a petrol station) into a PRS scheme of over 100 apartments. The site is on a tight angled corner plot in the town centre and on the edge of Luton’s conservation area. An additional challenge was that it wouldn’t have any parking included.
We immediately re-evaluated the existing feasibility option and engaged with Luton Borough Council Planning department through the PPA process.
