Urban Penthouse Apartments
Rooftop Addition in Conservation Area
Planning consent was granted in November 2025 for this exciting penthouse addition to an existing Art Deco building in the heart of the popular and vibrant Westbourne Conservation Area in Poole.
Project Director: Derek Williams
Project Leads: Noah Harper
Contractor: SW Homes
Client: Provus
The existing building is a fine example of early 1930s Art Deco architecture, carefully preserved and maintained to a high standard, with original Crittall glazing and face brickwork retained. It currently comprises commercial units on the ground floor and a single flat on the first floor.
Our brief was to create a full additional storey to accommodate a new flat, while reconfiguring the first floor to provide a separate flat and office space. A communal lobby and stair have been introduced to serve all three units.
The design draws inspiration from the proportions and elegance of the existing building, while clearly expressing a contemporary 21st-century character.
Given the building’s location within a Conservation Area and its proximity to the Grade II listed Westbourne Arcade, a robust design justification was essential. During the planning process, concerns raised by the Conservation Officer were carefully addressed, and an agreed solution was reached through a highly productive and collaborative online meeting involving our team, the client, the Planning Officer, and the Conservation Officer.
This was an excellent example of how open dialogue and collaboration between all parties can lead to an enhanced design outcome that both satisfies conservation requirements and meets the client’s expectations.
Detailed design work is now underway, with a start on site anticipated in early 2026. We are thrilled to be part of such an exciting project in one of Poole’s most lively and characterful areas, and we look forward to seeing it come to life in 2026.