Airspace Development
Fruition Properties is one of London’s most experienced airspace developers, delivering innovative, high-quality homes above existing buildings.
Airspace Development
Fruition Properties is one of London’s most experienced developers in airspace development, delivering over 300 homes across 40 rooftop schemes since 2004.
We partner with freeholders, leaseholders, and investors as development managers, and also deliver our own rooftop schemes alongside JV partners, unlocking latent building value while adding high-quality new homes.
Why Airspace?
Airspace development creates new homes in the ‘air-rights’ above existing buildings, often one or two storeys, without the need for new land. In high-demand cities like London, it offers a sustainable, low-disruption way to increase housing supply and rejuvenate existing stock.
Sustainability and Innovation
Instead of demolishing older buildings, we upgrade them – improving energy performance, enhancing aesthetics, and extending lifespan. Advances in modern methods of construction (MMC) mean rooftop projects can be delivered faster and more efficiently.
Benefits for Owners & Communities
- Cost savings on service charges and maintenance through shared costs.
- Building upgrades (roof, façade, communal areas, landscaping).
- Additional income and increased asset value potential for freeholder.
- Increased value of leasehold properties.
- More homes with minimal visual impact at street level.
- Reduced waste and preservation of communities.
- Minimal disruption through prefabricated or modular construction techniques.
CASE STUDIES
Mulberry Heights – Hendon, NW4
Our latest airspace development is six stylish three-bedroom penthouse apartments and an exclusive three-bedroom villa within a private gated community in Hendon.
First built in 1937, the three existing Art Deco buildings will be sensitively restored, preserving their historic façades and elegant detailing while creating an exclusive new development above.
Construction is currently underway and is due for completion in 2025. To find out more information about this exciting new development please click here.
The One – Porchester Road, W2
Fruition Properties worked closely with Youngs Brewery to deliver eight contemporary apartments in the airspace above the existing Porchester pub. Despite the need to build an additional floor, Fruition Properties successfully navigated the build over a busy junction so that the pub was able to remain fully operational.
The scaffolding was designed to avoid obstruction of the retail frontage and to ensure the corner entrance to the pub was easily accessible. This allowed the pub to continue to attract customers whilst new value was added.
The Carob Tree – Highgate Road, NW5
Fruition Properties created three new homes through the refurbishment of the upper floors of an existing restaurant – The Carob Tree.
The owner was initially weary of the impact to the restaurant from construction, where they expected business to drop by over 20% during the build phase. However, Fruition Properties worked closely with the owner to develop a programme of works that considered the impact on his business. In turn, the restaurant only had to close for five weeks, which was carefully scheduled to happen during a quieter trading period.
The View – Upper Richmond Road, SW15
Fruition Properties worked with leaseholders in this tired 1970s block to create four new apartments in an additional floor above the existing building. In just 32 weeks, Fruition Properties built the new homes using innovative methods of construction, refurbished the existing internal communal areas, updated the façade and windows, and re-landscaped the gardens and driveway. New cycle and bin stores, postboxes, and an audio-visual entry system were also provided.
Now completed, the existing residents benefit from higher value apartments and they share running costs with the owners of the new apartments, which has reduced their annual service charge by 25%.
Ladbroke Crescent – Notting Hill, W11
Fruition Properties delivered Ladbroke Crescent in partnership with the existing owner of one of the four flats. Through the addition of an extra floor, the dated flat was transformed into a stunning light-filled duplex with a modern, open plan living space that proves ideal for this family home.
The entire block was refreshed with a modern uplift to align it with the neighbouring Victorian terraces, which included re-rendering, slate cladding, and improved communal areas.