Forty historic homes in Coventry have been transformed following the completion of a £2.1 million refurbishment programme.
Four maisonette blocks at Jardine Crescent have had extensive improvements including new roofs, windows, external doors and ventilation systems, creating warmer, more energy-efficient homes for residents while preserving an important piece of Coventry's architectural heritage.
Dated exterior panels have also been replaced with a modern curtain wall system, giving the buildings a fresh new appearance while respecting their original design.
Together the improvements will help homes retain heat more effectively, reducing energy use, lowering carbon emissions and helping residents keep heating bills down.
The maisonettes, which are owned by Citizen, were designed by renowned Coventry city architect Arthur Ling and are recognised by the RIBA for their architectural significance as part of the city's post-war redevelopment. Throughout the project, careful attention has been paid to preserving the buildings' defining features and maintaining the integrity of Ling's original vision.
The work was completed in partnership with sustainable regeneration expert Equans and supported by £400,000 of funding through the Matrix Housing Partnership and the West Midlands Combined Authority's Wave 3 retrofit programme, helping to deliver improvements that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Bridget Guilfoyle, Director of Asset Management at Citizen, said: “This £2.1 million investment demonstrates our commitment to providing high -quality, energy -efficient homes for our customers while preserving an important part of Coventry's architectural heritage.
“These homes have been transformed in a way that respects their history while ensuring residents benefit from warmer, safer and more sustainable homes for many years to come.”
Customer Gabriele Labokaite, said: “Before, the home was quite cold, but the windows are sealed now so it’s much warmer. I feel good now the work has been completed and therea lot more sunshine coming in. I also have child locks on the window now and that is the best part for me.”
Cllr Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “This is a great scheme because the improvements will provide better quality living standards for so many households.
“There are a number of house building projects across the city to raise standards of more affordable homes, and it is always good to see the progress being made.”
Chris Caffrey, Operations Director at Equans, said: “These valued homes will now be more comfortable to live in and more affordable to heat. This complex project has been made possible through careful, expert planning and by working in close collaboration with Citizen, residents and the local community.
“The finished result demonstrates how existing housing can be adapted to meet modern living standards while retaining the features that make it special.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We’ve got too many working families living in homes that cost a fortune to heat but remain cold.
“This investment means lower bills, warmer homes and less worry for hundreds of people living on Jardine Crescent.
“These iconic maisonettes are also an important part of Coventry’s story and deserve to be saved. By bringing them up to modern standards they will provide comfortable homes for many generations to come.”
Ruth Cooke, Chair of the Matrix Housing Partnership and Chief Executive of Green Square Accord (GSA), said: “Between 2023 and 2026, the Matrix Housing Partnership delivered energy efficiency upgrades to 906 households, helping residents benefit from lower fuel bills and more comfortable living spaces.
“This has been achieved through our pioneering consortium model, which has enabled us to pool resources and share best practice throughout the project.
“I am very grateful for Citizen’s contribution to this project and congratulate the team on the successful delivery of the project at Jardine Crescent.”
The completion of the refurbishment comes as Tile Hill prepares to benefit from the Government's new Pride in Your Street programme, which will provide up to £2 million a year to improve the neighbourhood.
Citizen has welcomed the announcement and hopes the funding can complement the significant investment already being made in local homes, helping to improve public spaces and the local centre alongside housing to create an even greater impact for residents.