Wakley Street is a live, phased transformation of an existing office building in the heart of Islington into contemporary co-living accommodation. The project is currently on site, delivering the first stage of works following a successful Class MA prior approval, which established the principle of residential use and enabled the conversion of the building into 13 self-contained homes.

The site sits within a highly connected area close to Angel and Old Street, surrounded by a mix of residential and commercial uses. The proposals work with the existing building rather than against it, improving its performance and usability while maintaining its established urban presence.

New interventions are designed to sit comfortably within the existing architectural language. Window proportions respond to the established rhythm of the façade, allowing the building to evolve in a coherent and restrained way without overstating the intervention.

Sustainability is driven by retention and upgrade. The existing structure is largely preserved, significantly reducing embodied carbon, while improvements to insulation, services, and ventilation enhance long-term efficiency and comfort. Roof-level interventions are discreetly integrated, improving natural light and airflow without altering the building’s street-facing appearance.

A full planning application has been implemented to deliver Phase I of the works, focusing on targeted external interventions to support the new residential use.

These include new and upgraded windows to the front and rear elevations, alongside discreet roof-level additions comprising a new AOV and rooflight. The approach is intentionally light-touch, improving daylight, ventilation, and overall environmental performance while retaining the character and structure of the existing building.

Phase II will follow once Phase I is complete and the building is operational and will be led by the client to refine the internal layout and optimise the scheme for COHABS’ co-living model.

This stage will focus on improving communal areas, spatial efficiency, and the lived experience of residents once occupation begins.

Wakley Street sets out a pragmatic, phased approach to urban regeneration, combining planning certainty, minimal external intervention, and a clear route towards a fully optimised co-living environment in central London.