New Apartment Building, Talke
This new apartment building located in Talke, Staffordshire was developed on the site of a former bakery, which had a complex planning history with various approvals over the years. The most recent approval allowed for 13 detached or semi-detached houses, but due to viability concerns, this permission was not enacted. After purchasing the site, our client instructed Ellis Hillman Architects to explore several design options that would increase the number of units and make the development more viable.
The site itself is split across two distinct levels, with the upper level accessed directly from Banbury Street, while the lower level sits 3.0 meters below and is somewhat landlocked due to an existing retail unit on the site. This topography presented challenges but also provided the opportunity to create a multi-level building that would maximize the use of the land.
The client’s brief was to design starter homes for young people, comprising a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments that are well-appointed and practical. The development includes on-site parking, cycle parking, and an attractive landscaping scheme for the outdoor spaces, ensuring the development is both functional and aesthetically appealing. In total, the scheme comprises 45 residential units spread across four floors, offering a modern living environment for the local community.
In terms of design, the building was carefully crafted to blend with its surroundings. The lower two storeys are finished with brickwork, while the upper storey features grey rock panel cladding, reflecting the materials of nearby traditional housing, such as brick and grey rooftiles. This design ensures that the development is in keeping with the character of Talke, while adding much-needed housing for the area.
We had the pleasure of collaborating with Richard Evans on several projects, and he consistently exceeded our expectations at every turn. From the outset, Richard took the time to listen carefully to our brief, demonstrating an exceptional grasp of our vision and translating it into a design that was both visually stunning and highly functional. His attention to detail was evident in every aspect, and his creativity brought a fresh, inspiring perspective to each project.
Richard’s expertise and command over all project elements were clear throughout every phase. He managed timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements with impressive precision and ease, navigating any challenges that arose without missing a beat. Communication was always clear and timely, and he was responsive and accommodating to every question or adjustment we had.
Nothing was ever too much for Richard. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to bring their project to life or take it to the next level.
Viability was a big issue with this site but we managed to maximise the number of units in the scheme and provide adequate parking and amenity, whilst incorporating a scale in keeping with the surrounding area.
Richard Evans
Director
