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28th January 2021

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Hi-Macs helps restore London's emblematic Hoover Building

IDM Properties has renovated and restored one of the most iconic Art Deco buildings in the English capital city, built in the 1930s for the Hoover Company.

The former household appliances factory has now been converted into a modern building with 66 luxury homes. After looking for a modern material which would also combine well with the contemporary design pursued by the architects, they opted for Solid Surface Hi-Macs for the furnishings.

The emblematic Hoover Building, located on London's Western Avenue, has become a point of reference for thousands of Londoners and visitors who travel daily along this major thoroughfare. In 1980, it was classified as a Grade II listed building, which protects its characteristic design if restoration work is ever required and, in that way, guarantees its legacy.

The Hoover Building, known for its spectacular palatial facade of enormous columns and picture windows, has been restored by IDM Properties with the aim of converting the space into residential housing in a confluence of modern-day designs and features specific to the 1930s.

IDM Properties has invested substantially in the preservation and restoration of this national building's historical features. To achieve this, many of the original Art Deco features were retained, including grand staircases with wrought-iron bannisters, mouldings and cornices, terrazzo flooring in the lobby and the original green colour scheme in the hallways. But the most conservation work was to maintain the sumptuous facade of this emblematic, protected London building.

Beyond the stunning exterior and communal surroundings, the interior of the luxury apartments - which are available either as studios, or with one, two or three bedrooms - cleverly combine contemporary style with modern features like Hi-Macs, creating a unique and striking blend of the old and new.

The architecture and interior design firm wanted to make the most of the space in the homes. To do this, they decided to make the living space into an open-plan area, where the flowing style and decor would create a special and inviting room.

A central element of the design in these luxurious living spaces are the kitchens, and Hi-Macs was used to create impressive countertops produced by Solid Fabrications in Belfast and supplied by James Latham.

The countertops, made in the Andromeda shade of Hi-Macs, fit perfectly with the custom-made cupboards and the built-in appliances, producing a uniform result as if it were all made from a single piece.

The colour chosen for the solid surface material from LG Hausys creates a sense of space, cleanliness and light, contributing to the overall balance with the choice of these modern, contemporary materials, in contrast to the Art Deco style of the building.

As well as for its ability to be joined seamlessly so that it appears to be fashioned from a single piece of material, Hi-Macs was also chosen because it is ultra-resistant and completely hygienic, and thus perfect for food handling. Its non-porous surface prevents any build-up of waste or bacteria, making the kitchen surface easier to clean.

Another nod from the architects to the building's heritage in the kitchen is that the appliances, of course, have all been made by Hoover.

Like in the rest of the home, the bedrooms were carefully designed down to the last detail. The decorative elements, from the fabrics to the cushions and the lamps to the nightstands, all have a vintage touch, inspired by the facade and by the restored parts of this national treasure. The colours of the decor needed to stand out against the lighter hues selected for all the furnishings, but without clashing with the style sought by the interior designers. For that reason, they opted for shades of green to echo the exterior elements of the windows and the mosaics in the building's entrance hall. In keeping with the trends specific to the 1930s, gold was chosen as the main motif of the decorative features, along with smooth colours of fabric to add warmth without overloading the space.

Debbie Northall, specification manager at James Latham, reports that "IDM Properties has created something really special at the Hoover Building. When you stand inside one of these apartments, you are surrounded by luxurious materials and cutting-edge design. The combination of original Art Deco architecture and modern styling makes them extremely desirable. The kitchens, made with Hi-Macs Andromeda, fit perfectly with the contemporary style of the other parts of the homes."

www.idmproperties.com / www.solidfabrications.co.uk / www.lathamtimber.co.uk / www.himacs.eu

28th September 2018