{"id":778404,"date":"2025-03-17T09:11:41","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T09:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=778404"},"modified":"2025-03-17T09:34:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T09:34:09","slug":"stride-treglown-gets-go-ahead-to-overhaul-listed-greenwich-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/stride-treglown-gets-go-ahead-to-overhaul-listed-greenwich-building","title":{"rendered":"Stride Treglown gets go-ahead to overhaul listed Greenwich building"},"content":{"rendered":"

Devonport House, a historic former nurses\u2019 home-turned-hotel, will undergo a \u2018complete renovation\u2019 and conversion into an extension for the University of Greenwich.<\/p>\n

An existing hotel conference centre on the site, built in the 1990s and described as \u2018unsightly\u2019 by Historic England, will be demolished to make way for the scheme.<\/p>\n

The scheme was granted consent by Royal borough of Greenwich councillors during a planning committee last Tuesday (11 March).<\/p>\n

The Stride Treglown overhaul, designed in collaboration with Purcell as conservation architect, will create spaces for contemporary teaching, integrating \u2018state-of-the-art\u2019 technology.<\/p>\n

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APPROVED: Stride Treglown’s plans for Devonport House<\/p>\n\t

Source:Stride Treglown<\/p><\/div>\n

A new three-storey, L-shaped extension featuring Classical proportions and light brick with contemporary detailing will wrap around Devonport House, separated from the existing building by a glazed internal street.<\/p>\n

The street will conserve the elevation of the existing building and ensure that the historic fa\u00e7ade remains the focal point, according to the architects, as well as providing the primary point of public access on the ground floor level.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, balconies and walkways on the first floor will incorporate bridges between old and new at three separate points.<\/p>\n

Devonport House itself will be renovated throughout, with its existing structure and layout preserved.<\/p>\n

Historic features including staircases and fireplaces on the ground floor will be restored, and the building\u2019s upper three floors, currently hotel bedrooms, will be converted into seminar rooms and offices.<\/p>\n

The new teaching spaces on the upper floors will be opened up to improve ventilation and daylight, while new windows will improve thermal performance.<\/p>\n

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Greenwich Council\u2019s planning officers said the \u2018less than substantial harm\u2019 that the scheme would cause to heritage assets \u2013 including, Devonport House, the neighbouring Cooper Building, the National Maritime Museum and the Greenwich Park Conservation Area \u2013 were outweighed by its public benefits.<\/p>\n

Officer said benefits would include increased access to Devonport House, modernised facilities for\u00a0 University of Greenwich students, staff, and visitors, improved access and public realm and biodiversity net gain and ecological enhancements.<\/p>\n

Recommending approval, officers concluded that the scheme would provide \u2018a new use for [Devonport House], sustaining its future, and securing its long-term viability\u2019.<\/p>\n

The renovation is part of a wider masterplan to improve connections across the site, which will see historic gateways reopened and views restored and enhanced.<\/p>\n

Rachel Bremner, senior associate architect and Devonport House project lead at Stride Treglown, described the planning permission as an important step towards securing the future of Devonport House.<\/p>\n

She added: \u2018The extension enables the provision of state-of-the-art facilities, benefiting the next generation of students and supporting the university\u2019s ambitious plans.\u2019<\/p>\n