Hampstead · North West London
Hampstead houses are beautiful but they were not designed for the way people live now. Open kitchens, proper bathrooms, home offices, more light - we help homeowners in NW3 get those things without losing what makes the house special in the first place.
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Working in Hampstead
Most of the properties we work on in Hampstead are Victorian or Edwardian houses, often in conservation areas. They tend to share the same issues - dark kitchens, small bathrooms, unused loft space, gardens you cannot really connect to from the ground floor.
A well-designed rear extension with proper glazing can completely change how the ground floor works. A loft conversion adds a bedroom and bathroom without touching the footprint. And a basement conversion, which many Hampstead houses can accommodate, gives you a whole new floor underneath the existing property.
We understand the constraints that come with working in this part of London. Camden Council's planning team is familiar to us - we know what they tend to approve and where the boundaries are, and we design accordingly. As experienced residential architectural designers in London, we balance ambition with the practical realities of getting planning consent in sensitive areas.
Services in Hampstead
Hampstead projects tend to be more complex than the average London extension. The properties are larger, the finishes are higher specification, and the planning constraints are more demanding. This is where our design-and-build approach works particularly well - one team handles architecture, planning, interior design and construction under a single contract.
We also have experience with listed building consent, which many Hampstead properties require. Any alterations to a listed building need separate consent in addition to planning permission, and the application process requires heritage impact assessments and detailed justification for each proposed change.
Planning in Hampstead
Hampstead is one of the most architecturally sensitive areas in London. The Hampstead Conservation Area is one of the largest in the capital, covering the village core and the streets radiating from it. Large parts of Belsize Park, Highgate and South End Green also fall within conservation areas managed by Camden Council.
Within these areas, Permitted Development rights are restricted. Even a single storey rear extension will usually need a full planning application. Camden Council generally responds well to contemporary rear additions that sit clearly as new elements rather than trying to mimic the original building. They are also receptive to well-designed loft conversions, particularly mansard extensions to the rear where they are not visible from the street.
For basement conversions, Camden has a specific basement development policy. This requires a Construction Management Plan, a structural methodology statement, and assessments covering hydrology, trees and impact on neighbouring properties. It is more involved than a standard extension application, but basements are regularly approved in Hampstead.
Cost Guide
Construction costs in Hampstead tend to be higher than the London average, typically £3,000 to £4,500 per square metre. This reflects the quality of finishes expected, the complexity of period properties and access constraints on many of Hampstead's narrow, hilly streets.
A rear extension usually costs between £80,000 and £180,000 depending on size and specification. Loft conversions range from £65,000 to £120,000 for a dormer or mansard. Basement conversions typically start at £150,000 and can reach £400,000 or more for a large excavation with high-end finishes. Whole-house renovations usually run from £200,000 to £500,000 depending on the scope.
Professional fees for architecture, structural engineering and building regulations usually add 10 to 15 percent on top of the construction cost. For broader London pricing, see our house extension cost guide.
Cost Calculator
Tell us the size, location and finish level. Our calculator returns a realistic range for your extension or loft conversion, with a detailed breakdown available.
Property Types
Hampstead's properties are larger and more varied than many other parts of London. The area has substantial Victorian and Edwardian detached and semi-detached houses, Georgian townhouses, and some Arts and Crafts properties around the Hampstead Garden Suburb area. Many are set on generous plots with mature gardens.
Belsize Park has a mix of Victorian houses and Edwardian mansion flats. Gospel Oak and South End Green have more modest Victorian terraces. Highgate shares Hampstead's period character with its own distinct village atmosphere. Each neighbourhood brings different constraints and possibilities - what works for a detached Edwardian house on a wide Hampstead street may not suit a terraced cottage in Gospel Oak.
Nearby Areas
Alongside Hampstead, we regularly take on projects in Belsize Park, Highgate, Gospel Oak, Swiss Cottage, Parliament Hill and South End Green. All of these areas fall within Camden borough and share similar conservation and planning constraints.
Outside North West London, we work across all of Greater London and within a 30-mile radius, including Islington, Hackney, Chelsea, Kensington, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Richmond and Surrey.
Common Questions
