A HOST of luxury loft apartments have been unveiled following a two-year renovation project to save a Grade II listed school building that had become the target for vandalism and arson.
The Old School, located on Simpson Street, Deptford, stands on the edge of Riverside Sunderland, and is the new location of swanky new apartments and mixed-use office space in the city.
Built in 1867, the former school first opened as Deptford Yard Church of England School and had various guises as a school over the years, before closing in 1961.
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In 1994, the Victorian building was protected with a Grade II listed status but fell into subsequent disrepair whilst in use as artist studios, suffering vandalism and arson attacks.
At the start of 2020, proposals were announced to convert the building into a mixed-use development, comprising of office space and eight loft-style dwellings.
Now, more than two years later, the million-pound transformation of Simpson Street School is complete, with the eight one-bedroomed loft apartments marking the completion of the renovations.
Check out the new apartments:
Pictures: BDN.
The project to restore the building was led by North East architecture, structural and civil engineering practice, Building Design Northern (BDN), the same company that recently announced plans to transform the stables at Sheepfolds into an exciting new city centre food, drink and leisure venue.
Designed by BDN’s Architects and Engineers, the apartments combine the building’s beautiful original features with a stylish minimalist design.
Specialist roofing and sash windows, with panoramic views of the city skyline, have been installed to match the period features of the property.
Here's another sneak peak of the eight loft apartments:
Pictures: BDN.
As many original Victorian features as possible have been retained to sympathetically restore the Old School, including making the most of original glazed bricks, beams, and fireplaces.
The addition of mezzanine floors to several apartments have been carefully crafted to keep with the building’s character, whilst also fully modernising the Grade II listed property.
Richard Marsden, managing director of BDN, said “We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved in the project for being so invested in bringing our vision to fruition, to restore the building to its former glory.
What people can expect from the apartments:
Pictures: BDN.
“The apartments have a real sense of history, creating a unique asset to the city, unlike anything ever before in Sunderland.
“Simpson Street acts as a real shopfront for our business, showcasing just what we can achieve.
“The completed transformation highlights BDN’s pledge to make a difference within Sunderland, and alongside the Sheepfolds development, demonstrates that we are investing in the regeneration of the city, creating contemporary places to live, work and enjoy.
“Simpson Street has been successfully restored for future generations.”
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