Clapham Road apart-hotel
Project: Clapham Road apart-hotel
Location: Clapham Road, Lambeth
Status: Planning Application Submitted
The brief
The intention for the Clapham Road apart-hotel was to regenerate an underutilised site on the edge of Central London with the creation of a 135-bed apart-hotel and office/co-working spaces. Originally occupied by a Georgian building known as Dorset Terrace, the site has had numerous uses including as the London terminal coach station, a petrol station and by its current occupiers, Europcar.
It was bombed in World War 2 leaving a significant gap in the street frontage, which the Clapham Road apart-hotel aspires to restore whilst also improving overall safety, bringing employment opportunities and protecting local homes.
Our approach
The site is situated within the St Mark’s Conservation Area and faces a terrace of listed buildings so our initial approach was to preserve, enhance and respect local heritage. As the site was left open and therefore prone to antisocial behaviour, this immediately gave us two distinct opportunities. The first was to re-stitch the street scene by linking the proposed development back to its neighbours and the second was to offer some active frontage that would enliven the street and add value to the community.
By analysing the buildings nearby, including their geometry, proportions and material palette, we devised a design that would complement and mirror elevational treatments and overall articulation but also have its own contemporary identity. Typical stays for apart-hotels are three times longer than hotels so we wanted to create a ‘home away home’ feeling, where residents could become part of the community.
Our design
Our aim was to regenerate this historically vibrant site with a luxurious, modern and hugely sustainable building. Two blocks reconnect with Clapham Road and Palfrey Place, matching the horizontal hierarchy, and these are linked by a central core structure, which creates two green courtyards.
Not only will these courtyards house lush planting and provide a relaxing amenity space but they also allow in natural daylight, meaning the building can be naturally ventilated. This, coupled with extensive on-site renewables and a high-performing façade, will make this one of the UK’s most sustainable apart-hotel developments.
The Result
Planning permission for the Clapham Road apart-hotel was granted in April 2023. Planning officers commented that “the proposed architecture and materials are well considered and represent a positive response to the historic context.
The proposed development would have a beneficial effect on the setting of the adjoining and nearby Grade II listed buildings… and would enhance the character and appearance of the St Mark’s Conservation Area.”
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