Plans to convert listed building on Portland Terrace

Portsmouth based agent Knight Architectural Design has applied to Southampton City Council (SCC) for permission to convert 23-25 Burlington House on Portland Terrace into five flats.

23-25 Burlington House from Portland terrace

A Grade II listed building since January of this year, the site to be developed covers 1000 square metres and house two one bedroom and three two bedroom flats.

The five storey building is currently used as an office block, which has been the case since the 1960s.

Planning documents state that all five flats will be accessible by a large existing communal staircase and all flats from basement to to the third floor will have access to a communal lift.

The terraces were built in 1830 over four storeys and basement including a slate roof and parapets.

In their application, for which a planning decision is yet to be made, the developers said no alterations are proposed to the listed exterior, all windows are to be retained and internal frames untouched.

Burlington House rear view

“Minimal” structural changes have been proposed to preserve any original structure. Also, “where possible all existing original timber doors, frames and skirting will again be retained and matched within new flat and communal area rooms.

During it’s conversion into offices in the 1960s, many of the building’s original internal features were removed.

The developers have said they will ensure that proposed work does not damage the internal structures of the original windows.

Spokesperson for local heritage group City of Southampton Society, Simon Reynier said: These comments are submitted on behalf of the City of Southampton Society.

“We fully support the return of this building to its original residential use, albeit four flats rather than a single dwelling.”

The group did stress that consideration should be made to the colour of the basement, suggesting it should be painted white to improve light quality.