The Grove.
Respecting History, Creating Modern Comfort
When our clients approached us about their Edwardian house in South London, they felt frustrated and unheard.
Although planning consent was already in place, the previous architect’s design didn’t reflect their lives, nor did it respect their budget. Starting again felt overwhelming, especially after spending two years securing approval in a conservation area with challenging neighbours.
That’s where George & James came in. Our task was to unlock the potential of their historic home while keeping planning intact and making the design work for modern family life.
Originally designed in 1888 by John Belcher as a grand faux-Jacobean mansion, The Grove was divided horizontally in the 1920s, creating multiple dwellings from one house. Our clients owned the portion that retained the main entrance, dining room, and drawing room, filled with historic character but fragmented for contemporary living.
Nan and Stuart’s ambitions were clear: to create a welcoming, comfortable home that celebrated its heritage, while supporting their family’s lifestyle today.
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Type
Private Residential
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Scope
Restoration, refurbishment and remodelling, with new contemporary garden room, and gardens.
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Location
South London
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Client
Nan and Stuart
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Completion
2022
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Services
Full architectural services: Design, Detail and Delivery
We began with in-depth briefing meetings to understand their priorities.
We creatively reconfigured the interior layout within the approved plans, avoiding planning risk while delivering transformation. Key design moves introduced bedroom suites with ensuites, a modern kitchen, and a spiral wine cellar. A bespoke grand staircase restores flow, while specialist craftsmen restored historic panelling and cornices, complementing new stone windows and marble details. The home was finished with integrated smart technology and a contemporary charred-timber garden gym.
Appointed in October 2019, the project spanned the COVID-19 pandemic. We adapted our processes, completing the build to the highest quality in September 2022 while maintaining the agreed price. Our role extended far beyond drawings; as architects, principal designers, and trusted advisors, we structured decisions, managed risks, and maintained quality at every stage.
We are so pleased we changed architects. The process became far less stressful, despite being a complex restoration and modernisation. Darren and Simon understood our vision, managed planners and budget implications perfectly, and were creative and easy to work with. Our builders were initially concerned, but in hindsight, it was the better outcome for everyone.”
Nan and Stuart
This project was about much more than restoring a beautiful building.
The result is a layered, light-filled home that balances historic integrity with contemporary comfort. Every space has been carefully reworked to feel coherent, generous, and quietly confident, rooted in the building’s original character but designed for modern family life.
Could this be the start of your story?
Every home we build is a response to a specific life and a specific landscape or context. If this project has inspired you, let’s discuss how we can bring the same level of craft, clarity, and character to your vision.
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