The Grade II Listed former Christopher Wray lighting buildings were in danger of dereliction until Czero took on the site. A new residential tower for students has been built next to them to bridge the conservation deficit. APEC was first involved in the scheme back in 2012 assisting the client in developing the conservation strategy and securing planning consent. During the construction phase, we provided detailed conservation input.

What started as a domestic terrace in the mid 18th Century, became a blend of 19th Century workshops, including metal-stamping, light making and ginger beer making. The evolution of the site reflects Birmingham’s industrial development as a city. From 2005, the Grade II listed building sat vacant and exposed to the elements; causing a significant amount of damage. Czero became involved with the site and was determined to find a way to make conversion of the buildings viable. Plans were drawn up by IDP for a student residential tower to sit alongside the listed buildings. The Victorian workshops to the rear of the site were incorporated within the designs to provide residential and recreation spaces for students. We worked with the team in the detailed execution of the conversion of these listed buildings.

The next phase of the project will be to convert the Georgian Houses at the front of the site into shared student housing. These houses front what remains of Bartholomew Row and are probably the oldest surviving examples from this period in the city centre. They have been altered repeatedly across the centuries to suit different uses, and a great deal of research has been required to identify which elements to keep and restore, and which to remove. In the first phase, the exterior of the building was restored and made watertight. Through a careful process of research and site investigations, historic delights have come to light and are being designed into the next stage of creating unique student homes.

If you would like to see more about the project, visit Saving Bartholomew Row.