Ambitious renovation and restoration
This stunning development and refurbishment respects the heritage, surroundings and style of the Grade II listed former car engineering building. Designed by award-winning architects, Hollaway, the new residential and commercial space will maintain its art deco features, celebrating its past, while ensuring a sustainable future.
Obee Holdings’ renovation of Len House will increase the height of the building by two floors, taking it to five storeys to maximise space. It will retain the original style Crittal windows and high ceilings inside. All bar one of the original staircases also feature. Every element of the design complements the character and charm of this 1930s modernist building.
Luxurious urban living
160 apartments will be available, including 75 luxury apartments. With one- two- or three-bedrooms, these will be in the two new build developments alongside Len House and within Len House itself. On completion, the beautifully landscaped environment includes a central podium area that will make a peaceful external communal space for all residents, as well as views from apartments.
Len House is ideally located just a few minutes from the main shopping high street, and less than a 15-minute walk to both Maidstone’s railway stations. It’s ideal for the London commute, or city centre workers wanting to experience the urban vibes night and day.
160
Apartments
85
Luxury Apartments
A vibrant commercial and community space
A new, beautifully landscaped public square lined with retail space will become the vibrant heart of Len House. To maintain the building’s historical charm, what was once the traditional petrol filling station will become a focal point as the Pump Bar Kiosk, selling coffee and snacks.
Opportunities are endless for hospitality, retail, community, office or creative space within the commercial development on the ground floor of Len House, along Mill Street and facing the River Len. Ample parking spaces will also be available for visitors.
An unique place to live and work
The development of Len House will revitalise an integral and historic part of Maidstone, through restoration, renovation and sensitive design. By enhancing the public space and landscaping of Palace Avenue, establishing a new public ‘square’ off Mill Street, and connecting the space to the river Len, it marks out Maidstone as a vibrant and exciting place to live and work.
Architecturally important and historically significant
Len House is an Art Deco riverside property in the heart of Maidstone, Kent.
Len House is a grade II listed property situated on the banks of the River Len. This classic Art Deco building is both architecturally important and historically significant in terms of its long motor heritage. It is also perhaps most well-known for its vehicle ramp which famously inspired the much-loved Fischer-Price classic car garage toy.
Rootes Motor Company
Built in 1938 by Howard & Souter for Lord Rootes, who owned Rootes Motor Company a major manufacturer and seller of prestige autos, the building was known as the ‘The Rootes Building’.
After a short spell of manufacturing aero engines and commercial vehicles during WWII, Rootes Motor Company went on to manufacture and sell brands such as Hillman, Talbot, Scimca and Sunbeam.
It was later acquired by Peugeot who used the site as a premiere showroom until late 2019. Now owned by Obee Properties, the transformation of Len House will bring forward high-quality homes and commercial space, that that not only respects the listed building but also reenergises it for a new generation visiting, living and working in Maidstone
Protecting and enhancing our natural space
A fundamental aspect of the development is the restoration of the river Len, including a £250k river clean-up. This includes wildlife protection and work to minimise future flood risk. New floating islands across the mill pond and river Len will create natural habitats and help manage the water quality, creating and opportunity to enhance the landscape and biodiversity along the river Len.
Respecting our environment
Len House has been designed with low energy use at its heart. As well as solar energy created through panels set within the green roof, residents will also have their own winter gardens with views over the River Len. Ambient lighting will enhance the quality of the environment after dark, limiting light pollution and glare. In tandem this will ensure minimal disturbance to the natural features of development.
A full height glazed winter garden is a stunning feature of the apartments along the first floor of Len House. Not only does this enable us to keep the Crittall windows and provide a sheltered space for residents, but it provides noise reduction from outside and acts as a solar buffer, maintaining temperatures inside throughout the year.
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