Norton Folgate shortlisted for a 2025 Pineapple Award 23.01.25

Norton Folgate has been shortlisted in the Creative Retrofit category in this year’s Pineapple Awards.

Comprising three urban blocks, the project sits within the Elder Street Conservation Area and occupies a prominent position within the City Fringe between the City of London and Shoreditch. Rather than applying a blanket strategy, the masterplan employs a building-by- building approach to the retained existing buildings, utilising restoration, refurbishment, extension, remodelling, and façade retention to bring vacant or under used buildings back into use while reconnecting and enhancing the public realm.

Given the variegated character of Norton Folgate, four different architectural practices were brought together to diversify the architectural approach and style. AHMM was appointed as masterplanner and designed three buildings, Blossom Yard and Studios, Nicholls and Clarke, and Loom Court. Stanton Williams, Morris + Company, and DSDHA designed Elder Yard and Studios, 15 Norton Folgate, and 16 Blossom Street respectively, with East leading the public realm strategy.

Across the six buildings, a range of office types have been created with the aim of attracting a wide range of tenants, from start-ups and SMEs to mature organisations, whilst also appealing to the local tech and creative industries. All the buildings provide retail units, again of varying sizes and use classes at ground level to activate the street frontages. The public realm design enhances the tight network of existing streets and creates three new yard spaces that draw on the character of the surrounding historic blocks.

Shortlisted projects will be presented to judges at the Festival of Place at the end of February, with award winners announced in April.