Transforming Tradition: Converting a Royal Mail Sorting Office into Modern Flats

The Sorting House in Wandsworth was originally a Royal Mail Sorting Office, as shown below. Woody Man Ltd was involved in this large-scale project to convert it into a block of 22 new-build flats, working closely with Altus Construction Ltd on the development of the facade.

BEFORE: Exterior View of the Royal Mail Sorting Office

The Façade

As you will see, this red brick facade was intentionally preserved in order to maintain the building's original character and historic style, not to mention that the building is located close to the Wandsworth conservation area. In order to accomplish this full transformation, the client tasked us with replacing the timber facade windows like-for-like.

AFTER: Exterior View of the Royal Mail Sorting Office

These bespoke casement window units include 'solid' or blanking panels that are made of insulated glass, painted in the same colour to match the window frames; RAL 7021 Black Grey was chosen for this both internally and externally. The largest, central windows measured out to a whopping 3.5m in height!

It is important to note, that, the zinc-cladded development behind did not outshine the existing front facade or draw attention to itself. Our replacement windows, alongside the new signage, truly enhanced its neoclassical attributes in a modernized fashion.