Revitalising a historic high Street: Conversion of a Bank in Harpenden, St.Albans

High Street, Harpenden, St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK

Conversion of Locally Listed Bank to Prime Town Centre Residences and Retail Units

Simon Kaufman Architects are leading the redevelopment of a prominent locally listed former bank building in the heart of Harpenden's High Street Conservation Area. The scheme will deliver four high-specification residential flats above two new retail units, introducing 581 sqm of high-quality, fully compliant floorspace in a prime town centre location.

We have worked closely with planning officers to navigate the complex heritage and conservation constraints of this sensitive site, ensuring that the proposals respect and enhance the existing streetscape. The design retains and restores key architectural features while sensitively adapting the interior for contemporary residential use.

The new flats will offer well-planned, desirable accommodation, bringing long-term residential value to the town centre. This contributes to local policy goals for sustainable town centre living and active street frontages.

Alongside planning, we are collaborating with the contractor and building control to resolve the technical challenges presented by the existing structure. The scheme meets the latest Building Regulations, including Part B (fire), Part M (access), and energy performance standards, while working within the limitations of the historic building fabric.

This project exemplifies our ability to unlock the potential of heritage sites, balancing commercial value with architectural integrity and regulatory compliance.