MY CART

You have no Items in your cartYour items will show up here when you add them to your shopping cart

Converting an Office to 10 Flats: The Story of Glanville House

Monday, July 14, 2025

Converting an Office to 10 Flats: The Story of Glanville House

All the knowledge at your fingertips

The UK property landscape is evolving, and with a growing demand for quality housing, many investors and developers are exploring commercial-to-residential conversions as a profitable and sustainable opportunity. At POW Property Brothers, we recently completed the full transformation of a former office building into 10 self-contained residential flats, now known as Glanville House.

This project illustrates how unused or underutilised commercial spaces can be converted into attractive, high-yield housing solutions when approached with vision, technical expertise, and strategic planning.

Why Convert Offices into Flats?

The idea of converting offices into residential units isn’t new, but it has gained momentum in recent years. Key factors driving this trend include:

1. High demand for housing, particularly in urban and commuter belt areas
2. Remote and hybrid working trends, reducing office space demand
3. Permitted Development Rights (PDR) making some conversions easier (subject to conditions)
4. Potential for higher returns, especially when office space is undervalued or vacant

Glanville House is a great example of how to unlock value from commercial property in a post-pandemic world.

The Vision for Glanville House

Located in a well-connected neighbourhood with good transport links and local amenities, the original building had strong structural integrity but was no longer viable as office space.

Our vision was clear: transform this vacant commercial unit into 10 modern, self-contained flats that would meet local housing demand, comply with planning and building regulations, and appeal to a range of tenants, from professionals to small families.

Key Stages in the Conversion Process

Converting a commercial office into flats involves more than just internal partitions. Here's how we approached Glanville House:

1. Feasibility Study and Planning

A. Assessed the building’s structure, access, lighting, fire safety, and layout potential
B. Conducted a local housing demand analysis and viability modelling
C. Liaised with planning consultants and local authorities to determine permissions and limitations

2. Design and Architectural Planning

A. Created a layout that allowed for 10 well-sized flats with individual kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas
B. Ensured compliance with space standards, fire regulations, sound insulation, and natural light requirements
C. Integrated utility infrastructure and modern amenities across all units

3. Planning Permission and Building Control

A. Submitted a full planning application including design statements, fire strategy, and transport assessments
B. Engaged building control inspectors to oversee compliance throughout construction

4. Construction and Internal Fit-Out

A. Carried out structural modifications, including stairwell adjustments and partitioning
B. Installed all-new plumbing, electrics, heating, and insulation
C. Designed and fitted modern kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces in each unit
D. Focused on energy efficiency and long-term durability in all fixtures and finishes

5. Final Inspection and Compliance Sign-Off

A. Secured building control sign-off and completion certificates
B. Registered each flat as a separate address and prepared them for letting or sale

Challenges and Solutions

Every conversion project comes with its own set of challenges. At Glanville House, we encountered:

1. Space planning restrictions, requiring creative layouts to maximise liveable area
2. Fire escape route reconfiguration, which was addressed with external and internal modifications
3. Sound insulation, especially between floors, which we overcame using enhanced acoustic flooring systems
4. Utility load management, resolved through upgraded electrical supply and dedicated meters for each unit

Each challenge was met with tailored, professional solutions, ensuring the development remained compliant, attractive, and cost-effective.

The Final Result

Glanville House is now home to 10 thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient flats. Each unit offers:

1. Private kitchens and bathrooms
2. Open-plan living areas with modern finishes
3. High-performance insulation and double glazing
4. Secure access, communal areas, and bike storage
5. Excellent proximity to transport and town centre facilities

Whether let to individuals or sold to owner-occupiers, each flat meets the lifestyle expectations of today’s urban renters and buyers.

Commercial to Residential: A Model for the Future

Glanville House is more than a one-off project. It reflects a growing movement towards adaptive reuse of commercial spaces to solve the housing crisis while reducing the environmental impact of new builds.

At POW Property Brothers, we believe in delivering smart, sustainable conversions that create value for investors and communities alike.

Partner with POW Property Brothers

Are you considering a commercial-to-residential conversion? Whether you’re exploring your first project or managing a growing portfolio, POW Property Brothers provides:

Property sourcing and feasibility assessments

Planning support and project management

Full design, build, and furnishing services

Compliance with building and fire safety regulations

End-to-end guidance to maximise returns and mitigate risk

To learn more about the Glanville House project or to discuss your next development opportunity, visit our Homepage