Working alongside Mercia Real Estate, GNA have developed designs for a bespoke, luxury townhouse located within a narrow infill plot between 50 Newhall Street and 85 Cornwall Street, Birmingham. Image: Glancy Nicholls Architects.

The scheme provides inverted living accommodation, with bedrooms located on the lower floors and an open plan living area above. A glazed light-well creates a light touch connection between old and new whilst providing the benefits of additional daylighting and natural stack ventilation into the deep narrow plot.  A visual connection is also established to the existing brickwork of the neighbouring grade II listed building providing an everchanging daylit textural backdrop to its internal living spaces.

The proposal seeks to provide a bold and contemporary design with detailing which is sympathetic to the surrounding listed buildings. This includes a bespoke patterned facade which references the arts and crafts motifs found within the neighbouring 50 Newhall Street.

In parallel, an application led by GNA for listed building consent was recently approved for the refurbishment of the grade II listed 50-52 Newhall Street buildings. Providing high quality flexible office and commercial accommodation, the refurbishment will improve the existing connectivity between the two buildings and improve the efficiency of the spaces with sensitive modern interventions.

GNA are delighted to be involved in both these exciting projects and look forward progressing further on conclusion of the planning process