Victorian Care Home Conversion to Seven Apartments
01
Project Details
Location: Tankerton, Whitstable
Project type: Residential conversion
Contract value: Approximately £750,000
Duration: Approximately 18 months
Our role: Principal contractor and project manager
Key works: Structural alterations, roof renewal, new utilities, fire protection, acoustic upgrades and complete refurbishment
02
Project Overview
Browne & Sons completed the comprehensive conversion of a substantial former Victorian care home into seven modern, self-contained apartments. The building required extensive structural alteration, complete internal reconfiguration and major upgrades to meet current residential, fire-safety, acoustic and Building Control requirements. Working as principal contractor, we coordinated the full construction programme from initial strip-out and structural works through to services installation, internal finishes and final completion.
03
Client Brief
The client wanted to transform the redundant care-home building into seven high-quality apartments while retaining the character and presence of the original Victorian property. Each apartment needed to provide practical contemporary accommodation, independent services and a comfortable standard of living. The project also had to satisfy planning, Building Control, fire-safety and acoustic requirements while remaining commercially viable and progressing within an agreed construction programme.
04
What we Delivered
-
Complete internal strip-out and reconfiguration
-
Construction of seven individual apartments
-
Installation of more than 17 structural steel beams
-
Extensive structural openings and strengthening works
-
Complete roof renewal and associated repairs
-
New electrical, plumbing and heating infrastructure
-
Fire-resistant walls, ceilings and communal escape routes
-
Acoustic separation between individual apartments
-
New kitchens, bathrooms, joinery and internal finishes
-
Coordination of specialist contractors, inspections and suppliers
Before and After Gallery
05
Challenges & Solutions
-
Challenge: Integrating seven modern apartments into a large Victorian building with an existing layout unsuitable for residential conversion.
Solution: The interior was carefully stripped back and rebuilt around a coordinated structural and architectural design. -
Challenge: Installing extensive new services without compromising the structure or finished layouts.
Solution: Plumbing, heating, electrical and ventilation routes were planned alongside the structural works before partitions and finishes were completed. -
Challenge: Managing numerous trades and regulatory inspections across a complex 18-month programme.
Solution: Browne & Sons provided one central point of contact, coordinating trades, suppliers, consultants and Building Control throughout the project.
06
The Result
The completed development successfully transformed a redundant institutional building into seven attractive, practical and independently serviced apartments. The original Victorian property was given a viable new purpose while being comprehensively upgraded for modern residential use. Careful structural engineering, coordinated project management and consistent workmanship enabled the complex conversion to be delivered to a high standard, creating a valuable long-term residential development for the client.
07
Client Review
Mike and his team were professional and friendly. The work was carried out to a high standard and we would definitely use them again should the need arise.
Planning a Property Conversion or Development?
Whether you are converting an existing building, creating residential accommodation or undertaking a substantial commercial refurbishment, Browne & Sons can coordinate the structural work, specialist contractors, services and finishing stages.
