Refurbishment, conversion and conservation work has formed a substantial part of MGL project work. Refurbishment and conversion projects dominated the earlier working years of MGL, as there was a considerable amount of derelict buildings located in and around the East End.

The old industrial, warehouse, buildings of the East End offered plenty of scope for mixed use development. In general the size, scale and look of these original industrial buildings provided sufficient space for large commercial units, loft style apartments and live / work spaces.

This type of buildings stock formed the original incentive for developers to start the gentrification process of the east end, especially in around the city, Wapping wall, Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets. MGL worked on projects within all of these areas; Spitalfeilds, Wapping Wall, and Bacon school all of which are examples of good quality conversions and rethinking and reusing old buildings to provide them with a new focus and new life culminating in the creation of a new gentrified London area.

A substantial amount of the refurbishment and conservation projects have been of national heritage importance, and MGL have revived several failing nationally listed, buildings, some of which have been listed up to a ‘grade II star’ status.

These types of projects include the conversion of Jack Straws castle, public house (Grade 2), Gaynes Park House (Grade 2 Star) and 40 Pitfeild Street (Grade 2). All of these projects required MGL to work with specialist consultants and English Heritage. This work has both educated and informed MGL on detailed conservation design and construction.

Recent changes in perspective in the Planning Process have lead to a preference for mixed use developments within inner city or brown field sites. The change in view, along with a drive to intensify the inner cities has left architects and developers to rethink some existing modern buildings.

Along with the historic or graded conversions, MGL have developed several redundant 50’s – 70’s Office / commercial buildings into a modern mixed use viable solution. This often involves both the conversion and extension of existing buildings, re-cladding elevations, adding new uses and updating the servicing and parking provision to modern needs and requirements. These projects reinforce the MGL ethos that it is better to reinvented and reused an existing building rather than demolish. This view is now being considered as an appropriate development strategy; furthermore it is also seen to be a sustainable and green approach to development.

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Westferry Road

LONDON E14

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St Phillips Way

LONDON N1

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Artichoke Hill

LONDON E1

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Hertford Road

LONDON N1

JackStrawFEAT

Jack Straw’s Castle

HAMPSTEAD

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Deal Street

WHITECHAPEL

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White Lion Street

ISLINGTON

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Canada Wharf

ROTHERHITHE

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Texryte House

SOUTHGATE ROAD