The Norton Folgate site sits within the Elder Street Conservation Area and occupies a prominent position within The City Fringe between the City of London and Shoreditch. While the Conservation Area is small, there are dramatic changes in character from one street to the next. The masterplan was developed to respond to this mixed character, bringing vacant or under used buildings back into use, reconnecting and enhancing the public realm. 

Rather than applying a blanket strategy, the masterplan employs a building-by-building approach to the retained buildings, utilising restoration, refurbishment, extension, remodelling, and facade retention to breathe new life into the architecture. Sensitively designed new buildings have been introduced in a palette of materials, including brick which was selected for its robustness, quality, and appropriateness to the Conservation Area's Character. 

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, designing three buildings - Blossom Yard & 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 with retail at ground level have been created with the aim of attracting tenants from start-ups and SMEs to mature organisations and appealing to the local tech and creative industries. 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. 

Through careful preservation and restoration of historic buildings, Norton Folgate respectfully unites the area's special heritage with new modern, highly sustainable work and retail space. The listed cobble streets were carefully lifted, preserved and labelled during the development works and then re-laid on completion - improving the finished surface whilst retaining the streets character. 

Awards

• 2024 British Construction Industry Award - Commercial Property Project of the Year
• 2024 British Construction Industry Award - Community Impact Initiative of the Year

Location
Shoreditch, London
Client
British Land