Cheltenham Townhouse Transformation

RRA Architects > Cheltenham Townhouse Transformation
  • A tired 19th-century terraced house in Cheltenham’s Central Conservation Area has been reinvented by RRA Architects into a light-filled four-bedroom home that blends contemporary design with respect for its heritage setting.
  • Completed Date: Completed 2024
  • Budget: Undisclosed
  • Photography: Infinity Unlimited
  • Zinc Cladding: Q&M Ltd
  • Categories: Latest Projects, Residential-Private Housing
  • Tags: Basement Conversion, Cheltenham, Conservation Area, Contemporary Extension, Gloucestershire, Residential Refurbishment, RRA Architects, Townhouse Renovation, Zinc Cladding
Daytime exterior view of the rear extension showing a zinc-clad extension in our Cheltenham Conservation Area renovation; with a glazed gable end and sliding glass doors opening to the garden.
Evening garden view of the new zinc-clad rear extension with full-height glass doors glowing from interior light.
Close-up detail of the extension’s zinc cladding and one of the large sliding glass door panels.
Daytime exterior view of the rear extension showing zinc cladding, a glazed gable end, and sliding glass doors opening to the garden.
View from the entrance hall towards the rear, showing the original staircase and an open doorway into the new extension.
Cozy living room in the restored front part of the house, with contemporary furniture and period features retained.
Bright open kitchen interior featuring a large white island, contemporary cabinets and a skylight above.
Front street elevation of the refurbished 19th-century terraced house with its restored period façade and blue entrance door.
Modern ensuite bathroom with a freestanding tub, walk-in shower and soft green wall tiles.
Refurbished basement hallway with a new staircase leading up and an original cast-iron column on display.
Interior view of kitchen with a large rooflight and glass floor panel illuminating the wine cellar below.
  • Daytime exterior view of the rear extension showing a zinc-clad extension in our Cheltenham Conservation Area renovation; with a glazed gable end and sliding glass doors opening to the garden.
  • Evening garden view of the new zinc-clad rear extension with full-height glass doors glowing from interior light.
  • Close-up detail of the extension’s zinc cladding and one of the large sliding glass door panels.
  • Daytime exterior view of the rear extension showing zinc cladding, a glazed gable end, and sliding glass doors opening to the garden.
  • View from the entrance hall towards the rear, showing the original staircase and an open doorway into the new extension.
  • Cozy living room in the restored front part of the house, with contemporary furniture and period features retained.
  • Bright open kitchen interior featuring a large white island, contemporary cabinets and a skylight above.
  • Front street elevation of the refurbished 19th-century terraced house with its restored period façade and blue entrance door.
  • Modern ensuite bathroom with a freestanding tub, walk-in shower and soft green wall tiles.
  • Refurbished basement hallway with a new staircase leading up and an original cast-iron column on display.
  • Interior view of kitchen with a large rooflight and glass floor panel illuminating the wine cellar below.

Cheltenham Conservation Area Renovation

Situated in central Cheltenham, this modest three-bedroom period terrace has been reimagined as a spacious four-bedroom family home. RRA Architects was appointed to lead this Cheltenham Conservation Area renovation with a design that respects the building’s heritage while delivering light-filled, contemporary spaces suited to modern living.

A key part of the transformation was the conversion of the existing basement from damp cellar into functional living space. The new lower ground floor now includes two generous double bedrooms, a modern shower room, a laundry area and a small wine cellar tucked beneath the stairs.

To the rear, a single-storey zinc-clad extension adds a striking, contemporary addition. Fully glazed sliding doors open the kitchen to the garden, while a bespoke rooflight above is precisely aligned with a glazed floor panel below. This allows daylight to filter down to the cellar, creating a memorable design moment. Guests in the kitchen can look down and see the curated wine selection below, while those in the cellar can glimpse the sky. It’s an inventive feature that turns a simple storage room into a conversation piece.

Modern Living in a Heritage Context

Inside, original features are retained and restored, including the Victorian staircase and a cast-iron column revealed in the basement. At the same time, the layout has been reworked to suit modern family life, with the extension creating an open-plan kitchen and dining area centred around a large island beneath a generous roof lantern.

Throughout the house, a calm palette and quality finishes provide a contemporary backdrop that allows period detailing to shine. Every intervention balances old and new: ultra-modern touches like the glass floor panel, minimalist zinc cladding and energy-efficient glazing are offset by the warmth of restored wooden stair treads and period-style detailing. The result is a home that feels brand new and highly functional, yet still exudes the charm and proportion of its 19th-century origins.

This Cheltenham Conservation Area renovation is a confident blend of heritage and contemporary design, preserving the character of a classic terrace while unlocking its full potential for modern living in the Cotswolds.

Register to our newsletter

RRA Architects comprises a highly dedicated, multi disciplined, team with a wide range of experience and knowledge of the built environment.

RRA guard against the most common cyber threats & demonstrate our commitment to cyber security.

© 2025 RRA ARCHITECTS LTD IS PART OF THE POWLES GROUP LTD | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | DEVELOPED BY THE DM LAB