The Canal Building

The Canal Building is a genuine advocate for a retrofirst approach towards architecture – the embodiment of successfully breathing new life into a historic building.

A landmark project located on the Regent’s Canal, the scheme has also proven a vibrant focal point within the local community, successfully becoming the catalyst for a process of regeneration deemed unimaginable ahead of completion.

A former 1930s Art Deco warehouse, the building reflected its neighbouring location – dilapidated and in a severe state of disrepair. From an abandoned building, the scheme transformed the Canal Building into 35 new apartments, 45 live / work units, and 1,100sqm of commercial space – kickstarting a major period of regeneration in the local area.

By encouraging modern day working and social practices to flourish within this reworked and transformed design, the Canal Building was once again gifted the opportunity to integrate itself with the local community – promoting a ‘street’ atmosphere as a focal point for the area. The residential units were sold as ‘shells’, with the original buyers fitting-out the spaces to their own specification (assisted by Child Graddon Lewis).

Completed in 2000, the practice recently visited the project as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, meeting with residents and local not-for-profit organisation Business in the Community – of whom have occupied the workspace element of the building since completion.