Key Details

Overview

Vetus + Novum is a new work campus development by Aitch Group and VFund in London Fields, London E8.

The development will see the Grade I Listed St Michael & All Angels Church restored and transformed into a site comprised of two adjoining buildings while retaining its original architecture and status.

The church is one of only six remaining Grade I listed buildings in Hackney Borough.

Vetus + Novum will be divided into two buildings featuring the 9,849 sq ft Vetus building comprised of the re-purposed church, and the 15,200 sq ft adjoining Novum building which will be a state-of-the-art new build.

The proposals designed by Trehearne Architects centre around the revealing of the vast volume of the church’s nave by removing various temporary structures inserted previously to breathe life back into the building and give it a viable commercial future. Novum will be built on the adjoining yard fronting Leonard Street to contextually repair the ‘gap tooth’ in the streetscape.

Work on Vetus is expected to take 12 months and work on Novum is expected to take 18 months.

Vetus
The striking interior and iconic exterior of the church, Vetus, has been maintained from its original build in the nineteenth century and offers windows composed of lancets and plate tracery as well as an octagonal stone bell turret with spire. The 14,261 sq. ft. church itself has notable internal height, and volume and features a timber trussed scissor-beam roof rising to more than 60ft. The building offers original period features including arched trefoil windows and exposed timber and brickwork. Vetus will retain its original exterior architecture and feature stain-glass windows. The building will feature a ground floor and a newly created partial mezzanine floor with a total of 21m floor to ceiling height.

Novum
Novum is the more contemporary building with floor to ceiling glazing and an impressive outlook whilst still complimenting the former church with red brick walls externally and internally having similarly exposed services, concrete columns and ceilings.

Novum will span a lower ground to the fourth floor with lift access to each level and 3m floor to ceiling heights but will remain lower than Vetus so as not to draw attention away from the beautiful spire of the old church building.

The current plans layout the campus into zoned meeting rooms and areas for working in large groups across many desks along with more relaxed areas for casual meetings or socialising. There are also separate kitchen and dining areas. The campus also benefits from a reception area, WC and shower facilities, cycle storage and 24/7 access.

History

Originally designed in 1863 and completed in 1865, St Michael & All Angels was the first major church project of renowned East End architect James Brooks (1825-1901) and served the local community up until 1964. When the church was made redundant in 1964, the main building and the accompanying clergy house were used to store and sell antiques up until 2019. Due to its location in one London’s coolest areas, the church is set for potentially the most exciting development and conversions of the area.

Inside Vetus + Novum development

Discover amenities, unit types and property for sale & for rent

Office

15,200 sq ft

Strettons

020 7375 1801

Office

9,849 sq ft

Compton

020 7101 2020