119 Ebury Street, a listed Georgian terrace building has recently completed a seven-year journey that saw the building being converted into three sustainable luxury apartments.

ULI members were recently taken on a pre-occupation tour of this unique building and insights into how Grosvenor set out to achieve a climate sensitive renovation while maintaining the heritage value of this property. Victoria Herring, Caroline Haines and Matthew Payne shared how their aim of achieving a staggering 80% carbon reduction while maintaining the historic value of a Grade II Georgian listed property is being realised. Working closely with Westminster City Council and English Heritage allowed them to push the envelope but also shape the way future heritage building retrofits can take place to meet challenges of a modern climate.

Innovative technologies and designs have been utilised throughout the property, some of which include skylights with rain sensors, passive ventilation and wood fibre, IQTherm breathable insulation that also includes lime-based plaster and Aerogel (a material developed by Nasa to insulate spacecraft). Insulating a heritage building is a challenge and further sensors in the insulation will monitor the performance (temperature and moisture content) to ensure there are no long-term effects on the building.

Grosvenor will also monitor the buildings overall performance over the coming years to see if it meets its carbon ambitions. Pre occupancy ambitions have already received industry recognition with the property achieving BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ – a first for a UK heritage building and also winning the 2015 Best Global BREEAM Residential Refurbishment Award.

For further details about 119 Ebury St please visit here: 119 Ebury Street

The site tour was led by the ULI UK Sustainability Council. For further details about the Sustainability Council programme please visit:  ULI UK Sustainability Council