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 housing association 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 was supported by £400,000 of funding through the Matrix Housing Partnership and the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Wave 3 retrofit programme.
Bridget Guilfoyle, Director of Asset Management at Citizen, said the investment demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to providing high quality, energy efficient homes for its 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,” she said.
Resident Gabriele Labokaite said the difference since the work was completed had been noticeable.
“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 there is a lot more sunshine coming in. I also have child locks on the window now, and that is the best part for me,” she said.
Chris Caffrey, Operations Director at Equans, said the homes would 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,” he said, adding that the finished result showed how existing housing could be adapted to meet modern living standards while retaining the features that make it special.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said too many working families were living in homes that cost a fortune to heat but remained cold.
“This investment means lower bills, warmer homes and less worry for hundreds of people living on Jardine Crescent,” he said. “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 GreenSquareAccord, said that between 2023 and 2026, the partnership had 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,” she said. “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.
Citizen owns and manages 30,000 homes for diverse communities across the West Midlands, from urban tower blocks to rural villages and towns.
