Canonbury Square 2025

Canonbury Square (2025) — listed townhouse restoration | Islington Architects
The Grade II listed terrace on Canonbury Square
Project 267

Canonbury Square

Canonbury · Grade II listed · Completed 2025
LocationCanonbury, London N1
DesignationGrade II listed · Canonbury Conservation Area
GlazingCantifix
Completed2025
The comprehensive restoration and adaptation of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse overlooking Canonbury Square.
01Repair of historic interiors and Welsh slate roof
02Structural glass extension by Cantifix
03Reconfigured lower-ground accommodation
The house occupies a prominent position on Canonbury Square, one of Islington’s most distinguished historic residential settings.
After a period of deterioration and partial strip-out, the project began with an extensive programme of conservation: repair of historic plasterwork, joinery and architectural features, renewal of the Welsh slate roof, and the sensitive upgrading of the building’s services.
We carried out similar works to the neighbouring house in 2022. See Canonbury Square (2022) →
The UV-bonded frameless glass corner, looking out to the garden
The extension
A glass corner, bonded without frames
A new contemporary extension uses frameless structural glazing by Cantifix and a precisely detailed UV-bonded glass corner, creating a lightweight addition that stays visually subordinate to the original Georgian architecture.
The corner is UV-bonded, so there is no silicone: glass meets glass with no visible joint. With no side access to the garden, each pane had to be craned in over the terrace of houses.
At lower-ground level, the existing rooms and the rear closet wing were reconfigured to improve spatial quality, natural light and the relationship with the garden.
Approach
Guided by the building
Throughout the project, each intervention was guided by the significance of the existing building: retaining historic fabric, preserving the Georgian hierarchy of spaces, and keeping a clear distinction between original and contemporary elements.
The completed refurbishment has secured the long-term future of the townhouse as a family home, while preserving its contribution to the historic character of Canonbury Square.
Before
The house as we found it
The entrance hall before the works
The entrance hall and stair.
The first-floor room before the works
A first-floor room, lined with books.
Gallery
After
The restored drawing room, with working shutters and the square beyond
The restored drawing room, with working shutters and the square beyond.
The original stair and a restored doorway
The original stair and a restored doorway.
A bathroom in the principal rooms, with the original shutters and cornice
A bathroom in the principal rooms, with the original shutters and cornice.
The principal bathroom, keeping the original fireplace
The principal bathroom, keeping the original fireplace.
The lower-ground kitchen
The lower-ground kitchen.
A slim sliding door from the kitchen to the garden
A slim sliding door from the kitchen to the garden.
Your project
Restoring a listed home in a historic square?
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Islington Architects Ltd · Registered in England & Wales no. 09389417 · Registered office: 20–22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU · VAT registration no. GB 206 7389 95