RIBA Chartered Architects in Leicester

SKM Design is proud to announce that we have successfully secured planning permission for the transformational redevelopment of a historic site on St James Street, a vacant Grade II-listed building in the heart of Leicester. This ambitious project will breathe new life into a neglected heritage site while meeting the modern needs of the local community.

A New Chapter for a Historic Landmark

St James Terrace has stood vacant for several years, suffering from a lack of maintenance and underuse. Through close collaboration with planning authorities and consultants SKM Design led the planning process and gained approval for two separate planning applications. This green light marks the beginning of a multi-use regeneration scheme that blends preservation with innovation.

A Vibrant, Mixed-Use Destination

The approved redevelopment will turn the existing building into a vibrant community hub. Plans include a restaurant, ladies’ gym, salon, café, grocery store, and office spaces. All these amenities will be crowned by a luxurious roof-top shisha bar. The design provides a unique mix of lifestyle and leisure amenities while respecting the building’s architectural legacy.

Heritage-Led Community-Focussed Design

Our team conducted extensive heritage research to ensure the proposals reflected the building’s historical and cultural value. Using sensitive restoration techniques, the design balances conservation with adaptation whilst retaining the site’s historic character while reimagining it for a contemporary audience.

Central Location with Sustainable Appeal

Strategically positioned just outside Leicester’s central shopping area, St James Terrace offers outstanding accessibility. With close proximity to major transport links, the site is well-connected and supports sustainable urban living for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

Regenerating Leicester’s Urban Landscape

This project reflects SKM Design’s ongoing commitment to regenerating Leicester through creative, sustainable, and heritage-conscious architecture. The redevelopment of St James Terrace will not only restore a cherished local building but also create jobs and contribute to the city’s broader regeneration goals.

Are you planning a heritage redevelopment or mixed-use project? Get in touch with SKM Design today and see how we can support your vision—from planning to delivery Contact – SKM Design

To read more visit: Leicestershire Live – St James

Planning officials have approved the exciting redevelopment of Horsefair House, a landmark building in the heart of Leicester. As a result, the project now moves forward as a key milestone in the city’s urban regeneration. With a focus on modern living, convenient amenities, and sustainable design, this redevelopment represents a bold step toward Leicester’s future.

Through close collaboration with the client and city planners, SKM Design helped shape a successful, forward-thinking proposal that met both local policy and community needs.

The ground floor will be transformed into an exclusive private gym equipped with modern exercise machines and wellness spaces, will allow residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle without leaving the building. Moreover, it adds value by encouraging daily activity and social interaction

The Proposal

The basement will be converted into a secure cycle storage facility with 44 dedicated spaces. By promoting sustainable travel, this feature directly supports Leicester’s goals to cut vehicle usage and reduce carbon emissions. Therefore, the building’s design aligns with broader environmental strategies.

In addition, the upper floors, formerly used as office space will undergo a full residential conversion. The plan is to create 40 homes: 23 studios, 13 one-bedroom apartments, and four two-bedroom units. This mix ensures the development caters to a range of residents, from single professionals to couples and small families and promotes accessible, inclusive city living.

The client views this transformation as more than just a property project. Rather, they see it as a benchmark for mixed-use urban renewal. Horsefair House will breathe new life into a prominent part of Leicester while setting a high standard for future developments. By combining residential comfort, community-focused design, and sustainability, the scheme reflects modern values and long-term urban resilience.

Thanks to the knowledge and expertise, the team successfully navigated the planning process and secured approval. With that milestone reached, the project is now set to move forward into its delivery phase.

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Leicestershire Live: Horsefair House

SKM Design Leicester, proudly celebrates its 16th Anniversary, marking more than a decade and a half of delivering exceptional architecture, planning, and design services across Leicester and beyond. Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to quality. Our team has shaped hundreds of projects that continue to leave a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

The Journey

Founded in 2009, SKM Design began with a clear vision: to offer innovative, practical architectural solutions tailored to local needs. We started as a small Leicester-based studio. Today, we are a full-service team of architects, technologists, and project managers. Our portfolio spans residential, commercial, and community-focused developments.

In 16 years, we’ve completed numerous planning applications and helped countless clients bring their visions to life. Our projects include apartment conversions, new-build homes, mixed-use developments, and specialist care facilities. Each scheme balances creativity, compliance, and commercial viability.

Gratitude to Our Clients & Partners

As we celebrate this milestone, we want to thank our clients, consultants, contractors, and collaborators. Your continued support has helped us grow and thrive. Every project begins with trust—and ends with quality.

We remain committed to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive design. Looking forward, SKM Design will continue embracing new technologies that enhance our work and the spaces we create.

If you’d like to speak with our team about a project or learn more about what we do, visit services or email info@skmdesign.co.uk.

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SKM Architects Ltd has secured planning permission for a respite facility in Whetstone, Leicester, for the charity Mosaic 1898. This facility represents a significant step in providing short-term care support for caregivers and those they care for. The groundbreaking ceremony on May 10th marked the start of construction for a comprehensive disability care and community hub in the Blaby District, symbolizing a milestone in the charity’s history with a promising impact on Leicestershire. We attended a public consultation event where the local residents shared their thoughts on the wider services the new hub should offer in terms of the local community. It was great to see the enthusiasm for the project and help answer residents questions.

Mosaic 1898

Mosaic 1898 are a Leicester based charity working to provide life-enhancing services, care and opportunities for those with disabilities and all those supporting them promoting inclusion, equality, independence, empowerment and dignity for all. To see how you can support Click Here

SKM Design Completes Stylish Revamp of Birstall Golf Club

SKM Design, leading architecture firm in Leicester, has successfully completed the revitalisation of Birstall Golf Club. Transforming underused areas of the clubhouse into a stylish and welcoming environment. The project has breathed new life into the space, turning outdated meeting rooms and ancillary areas into a vibrant hub for members and guests.

A new bar and lounge

At the heart of the refurbishment is the newly completed bar and lounge area. Members can now enjoy relaxed lunches, coffee, or evening drinks while taking in stunning panoramic views of the golf course. The new layout blends contemporary aesthetics with functional design, offering a comfortable and sociable setting suited for both casual visits and private events.

SKM Design worked closely with the club’s management team to ensure that the refreshed interiors stayed true to the character and heritage the club. The design carefully balances modern updates with traditional touches, creating a space that feels both fresh and familiar.

Creating a Community-Focused Clubhouse

More than just a visual upgrade, this refurbishment repositions the club as a community-focused leisure destination. The improved layout enhances accessibility, encourages social interaction, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for new and existing members alike.

This project showcases SKM Design’s ongoing commitment to excellence in hospitality and leisure architecture, demonstrating our ability to deliver context-sensitive, high-quality solutions tailored to client needs and user experience.

To learn more about the project, visit Birstall Golf Club – SKM Design.
For architectural enquiries, contact us at SKM Design.
To experience the newly refurbished Birstall Golf Club first-hand, visit here today.