Enid Street

ENID STREET LIVERPOOL

RIBA Stages 0-7

Unit3 Design Studio were appointed to redesign and transform a run-down apartment building on Enid Street in Liverpool, converting a tired and dilapidated property into a high-quality residential development of 10 generous one and two-bedroom apartments.

The existing building contained 19 small one-bedroom flats, many of which no longer met current expectations for residential quality, Building Regulations compliance or modern space standards. The project required a complete rethink of the internal layout, building fabric and external appearance, with the aim of creating fewer but significantly better homes.

Rather than simply refurbishing the existing accommodation, Unit3 developed a more ambitious design strategy that focused on improving the quality, size, light and usability of each apartment. The proposals rationalised the internal arrangement, reducing the number of flats from 19 to 10 and creating a mix of good-sized one and two-bedroom luxury apartments better suited to contemporary living.

The project included the complete refurbishment of the existing building, a new-build extension and a full redesign of the external facades. This approach allowed the scheme to increase usable floor area, improve the overall appearance of the building and create a more coherent architectural frontage to Enid Street. The result is a development that provides a much higher standard of residential accommodation while making a positive contribution to the surrounding streetscape.

A key part of the design was the transformation of the building’s external appearance. The existing facades were tired and visually poor, reflecting the neglected condition of the building. Unit3’s proposals introduced a cleaner, more contemporary architectural language, using a carefully balanced combination of brickwork, light-toned render, improved window proportions and refined detailing. The revamped elevations help give the building a stronger identity while respecting the scale and rhythm of the surrounding urban context.

The new-build extension was designed to sit comfortably alongside the retained structure, increasing the capacity and functionality of the development without overwhelming the existing street scene. The extension forms part of the wider strategy to repair, modernise and improve the building, helping to create a complete and unified residential scheme rather than a piecemeal refurbishment.

Internally, the redesigned apartments were planned to provide better layouts, improved circulation, larger living spaces and more practical accommodation. The reduction in unit numbers allowed the design to prioritise quality over quantity, creating homes with improved natural light, better proportions and a more comfortable living environment. The new mix of one and two-bedroom apartments provides greater flexibility for residents and supports a more sustainable long-term use of the building.

The scheme also addressed the technical challenges associated with upgrading an existing residential building. The refurbishment strategy considered Building Regulations compliance, fire safety, thermal performance, accessibility, acoustic separation, ventilation and the practical requirements of modern apartment living. These improvements were essential in bringing the building up to a standard suitable for long-term occupation.

For Unit3 Design Studio, the Enid Street project demonstrates how underperforming and neglected residential buildings can be successfully reimagined through careful architectural design. By reducing overdevelopment, improving apartment sizes and investing in the building fabric and external appearance, the scheme delivers a better quality of housing and a stronger architectural outcome.

The project reflects Unit3’s experience in residential conversion, apartment refurbishment, urban infill development and the adaptive reuse of existing buildings. The transformation of Enid Street shows how a dilapidated building can be given a new lease of life, creating modern, well-designed apartments that contribute positively to Liverpool’s housing offer and wider urban regeneration.

Work in progress

Unit3 are an award winning multi-disciplinary design studio based in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. We work across three design sectors (architecture, graphic design and creative media) and help clients across the UK and internationally achieve great designs.

If you have a project in mind and would like to meet us, get in touch!