Design firm Wendover has successfully converted a historic Victorian-era police station in northwest London into a contemporary rental housing complex featuring nine apartments organized around a central courtyard. Located at 20 Newcourt Street near the northwestern edge of Regent's Park, this project marks the first rental scheme by the design-led development firm.
The conversion project involved careful restoration of the original Victorian exterior of the former St John's Wood police station, combined with a striking contemporary extension finished in pale brickwork and concrete. The development now houses a diverse mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses, all designed to maximize natural light and create a sense of spacious living.
"We chose to retain and restore all exterior elements of the original Victorian police station building and the existing structure, preserving the historic character whilst adapting it for contemporary residential use," co-founder Jan-Paul Coelingh explained. He added that retaining the original footprint presented significant challenges in accommodating the required apartment sizes, which the team resolved through careful planning to create well-proportioned layouts with an emphasis on natural light and spatial quality.
The three-story, U-shaped extension connects to the rear of the existing building at one end, creating a central courtyard that serves as the heart of the development. This courtyard space is paved with cobblestones and features a central tree, drawing inspiration from European modes of communal living. The courtyard is both accessible and visible from each surrounding apartment through sliding glass doors at ground level and Juliet balconies and terraces on upper floors.
The architectural design of the extension draws from the brickwork of the existing Victorian building, featuring pale brick columns created using bespoke brick specials crafted by manufacturer Petersen Brick. These columns are positioned between concrete lintels in a structure developed with engineering studio Milk, framing large openings finished in olive green metalwork and painted timber that reflects the greenery of nearby Regent's Park and the central courtyard tree.
"We wanted the architecture to address and celebrate the courtyard as the central 'interior' of the project and, importantly, create a welcoming communal space for residents to dwell and spend time," co-founder Gabriel Chipperfield stated. He emphasized that the self-supporting facade, with its distinctive rounded brick piers, concrete lintels, and generous window openings, echoes the traditional solid masonry construction of the original police station while providing a contemporary architectural point of difference.
Despite varying in size, all apartment interiors share a unified design approach featuring pared-back finishes, including white walls and wooden flooring. This neutral palette serves as a backdrop for tenants' personal furnishings, allowing residents to customize their living spaces while maintaining overall design coherence throughout the development.
Chipperfield and Coelingh co-founded Wendover in 2023 alongside Saul Sutton. The firm's previous projects include the renovation of a Marylebone penthouse, which notably featured a split bathroom design to accommodate contrasting client preferences. This police station conversion represents the company's expansion into rental housing development, demonstrating their ability to balance historic preservation with contemporary residential needs.
