Shower Improvements

Aparthotel brand Native has completed its Bankside flagship London aparthotel in the Bankside conservation area of Bear Gardens in Southwark.

The 5,912 sq ft project transformed three 19th Century warehouses into a 75-room boutique aparthotel, with ground floor mixed-use space that includes accommodation for the nearby Globe Theatre.

SPPARC, the architects behind the transformation, said carefully “considered restoration and modern intervention” has given the three principle buildings a new identity which celebrates the colourful history of the site.

According to the Native the eight-storey scheme offers a “contemporary urban experience” for its users whilst remaining sensitive to the conservation area and surrounding developments. The courtyard to the front of the building, historically a site for bear-baiting, has been retained and restored to maintain this remnant of the medieval street pattern.

Trevor Morriss, principal at SPPARC, said: “Inspired by the rich history of the area, we have worked closely with Southwark planners, Macro Investments and Native to deliver a cutting-edge contemporary mixed-use development in the heart of Bankside demonstrating that modern architecture can successfully cohabit with our heritage fabric.”

Guy Nixon, CEO at Native, added: “With Native Bankside we had a rare opportunity to transform and effectively recreate a wonderful heritage building working with SPPARC architects. I’m delighted with the end result.

“Particularly interesting is their innovative use of materials, such as the cement planks lining the corridors imprinted with wood grain, the flexible lighting systems that help create a fantastic ambience in the apartments, common areas and especially the coffered ceiling lighting. I’d love to work with them again.”