Grade II listed historic bank to homes conversion
Lewes high street
Right on Lewes High Street, this historic building began life as a branch of Barclays, with the bank manager living above the banking hall. Decades later, it had lost much of its original elegance beneath commercial alterations, awkward additions and unsympathetic fire escapes.
Our brief was to sensitively convert the Grade II listed building into four self-contained flats alongside a large three-storey family home, while celebrating its history rather than stripping it away.
Restoring character
The building still held remarkable features, including the original bank drop box and a substantial safe in the basement. Rather than treating these as obstacles, we made them focal points. The original safe has been retained and cleverly repurposed as a wardrobe within the new family home, preserving a tangible piece of the building’s story.
Externally, we removed unsightly modern commercial fire escapes and reinstated a more sympathetic appearance in keeping with its heritage. A poorly constructed single-storey extension was also demolished, allowing the building to breathe again and restoring its proportions.
Bay and lantern windows, along with other unique period detailing, were carefully preserved and enhanced. Every decision was guided by the building’s listed status, ensuring original features were respected and highlighted.
Four distinct apartments
Across two storeys, we created:
- Two one-bedroom flats
- Two two-bedroom flats
Two flats had provide gardens and basement storage. Each flat was designed to feel individual while maintaining a coherent architectural language that honours the building’s past.
A grand family home
Alongside the apartments, the former manager’s accommodation and part of the banking space were transformed into a generous five-bedroom family house set over three storeys.
The home includes:
- Five bedrooms
- Four bathrooms
- Study
- Cinema room
- Spacious living area
- Kitchen diner
- Utility room
- Master suite with dressing room
- Private garden
- Basement space
The layout balances contemporary family living with the scale and character of the original structure, creating a home that feels both distinctive and practical.
Modern comfort, heritage setting
While the project celebrates period architecture, it also brings the building firmly into modern living standards. New heating and ventilation systems were carefully integrated to improve comfort and performance without compromising historic fabric.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful design can unlock the potential of a historic commercial building, transforming it into high-quality homes while protecting its architectural integrity. The result is a development that feels rooted in Lewes’ history yet entirely suited to modern life.
A former bank. A family home. Four apartments. One building, restored to its former glory rather than buried under bad 1990s decisions.