The Bottle Factory is an architecturally impressive 30,000 sq ft, two-storey industrial building in Peckham, just off the Old Kent Road. This former mineral water and ginger beer factory dates back to 1895 and was in operation for almost a century through the London bottling brand of J. Mills & Sons. Following a successful planning application to change the use of the building to flexible office and industrial accommodation, HBS were appointed by Fabrix to undertake extensive restoration and refurbishment works with the goal of bringing back this beautiful building’s industrial heritage and character, which was sadly masked by years of neglect by previous landlords.

The intense 12-week, £650k project, included external restoration and cleaning of the London stock brickwork, redecorations to the windows and render and extensive repairs to the roofs. Internal works included insulation and boarding of the ceilings whilst retaining the exposed original beams, extensive redecorations to brickwork elevations and pitched timber roof structures and ensuring the building was structurally sound and compliant to the latest building regulations. Particular challenges for the HBS team were the replacement and improvement of the rainwater disposal and waterproofing systems to ensure suitability for our modern climate, and the restoration of the original floorboards to reinvigorate their former charm.

Sustainability and ethical construction was at the core of the brief and at the forefront of our team’s approach, reusing existing and recycled materials where it was possible.

Our professional team partners on the project included Project Managers Opera, Architect SRE and Quantity Surveyors CHP.

Andrew Pratt, HBS Director commented “To be part of sympathetically and sustainably restoring this wonderful building back to its former glory, and transforming it to accommodate 21st century needs, has been extremely rewarding. The HBS team have yet again shown their expertise, care and attention to detail in working on heritage buildings, and delivering another successful project.”