Advice on a major refurbishment of a Grade II listed property

We were instructed in relation to our client’s major refurbishment of a Grade II listed property in London. The project involved the conversion of a terraced house and separate basement flat into a single dwelling, for which we had acted on the purchase, and we were instructed to advise on, prepare and negotiate the relevant construction documentation.

The project required unusual and fairly complex building works due to previous historic extension works. In addition, the project required an ultimately successful bid to persuade the council to permit the return to a single unit, with the council initially reluctant to ‘lose’ a dwelling.

A great deal of tact was involved in the appointment of the main consultant, the architect, due to the nature of the services to be provided and his personal friendship with the client. As a household name, it was also important to maintain strict confidentiality of the client’s identity with prospective and actual consultants and contractor.