The short answer
Heritage work in Islington is mainly the restoration and refurbishment of Georgian and early Victorian terraced houses in conservation areas, many of them listed. Ushii repairs them with matching materials and its own trades, and upgrades them for modern living without losing their character.
What makes Islington property different
Islington is known for its Georgian and early Victorian squares and terraces, with London stock brick, stucco details, valley or butterfly roofs hidden behind parapets, and timber sash windows.
Hidden valley roofs and parapet gutters are often the source of leaks and timber decay, so we look at them first on almost every project.
High end and heritage work we carry out in Islington
We carry out roof and parapet gutter renewal, leadwork, lime repointing, sash window repair and replacement like for like, restoration of internal joinery and plaster, and complete refurbishments with new kitchens, bathrooms and services.
We also build sympathetic rear extensions and lower ground floor improvements where the council allows.
Consent, conservation and the people involved
Islington Council manages listed building consent and conservation area controls. We work to approved details and keep the record your consultants need for any conditions.
Terraced streets mean party walls on both sides, so we build those agreements into the programme early.
How Ushii runs a heritage project
Every trade on an Ushii project is directly employed by us, from bricklayers and carpenters to roofers and lead workers. The person who prices the job is responsible for the people building it, and the same team stays from scaffold to handover.
We use like for like materials as standard on period fabric: lime mortar rather than cement, hand made clay tiles or natural slate, leadwork dressed by hand, and joinery copied from the original profiles. A recent example is our roof restoration at the Jamaican High Commission, a Grade II listed building in central London, where every tile, ridge and flashing was agreed in advance.
You get a written record at the end of what was done, where, and with what material. That matters for future consents, for insurers and for anyone who buys the house after you.
Planning work on a period home in Islington?
The best time to talk to a builder is before anything is drawn. We can visit, look at the building with you, tell you honestly what consent is likely to involve and give you a realistic view of programme and cost. Get in touch through our contact page and a director will arrange a visit.