Wallpaper firm to return to former home 96 years on

A wallpaper firm is to return to its original factory almost a century on.

Sanderson Design Group left Voysey House in Chiswick, west London, in 1928 after a fire in a neighbouring building.

The Grade II* listed building - originally designed by architect Charles Francis Annesley Voysey - has undergone a restoration and is soon to be home to the company once again.

Historic England described Sanderson's return to Voysey House as a "full-circle moment" which demonstrated "the value historic places have in our national story”.

The Sanderson wallpaper factory opened in 1879, with Voysey House built as part of an expansion in 1902.

It is said to be the only commercial building designed by Voysey, who was one of the leading figures in the Arts and Crafts movement.

The five-storey structure was later converted into offices and piecemeal refurbishments followed over the years.

It was bought by London-based property investment and development firm Dorrington in 2020, with a view to reviving the building.

Christopher Costelloe, from Historic England, said the work carried out by Dorrington and dMFK Architects had been "both subtle yet transformational".

“From the replacement of windows to reinstate the original glazing pattern and dark green frame colour, and introduce new energy-efficient glass, to the relocation of services to open up the interior, and the intricate task of cleaning and repairing brickwork, the team have produced a scheme to be proud of," he said.

Lisa Montague, Sanderson Design Group’s chief executive officer, said it was a "great honour to be moving back into the Chiswick space that was originally purpose built for our company".

"Dorrington have done an exceptional job at respecting and modernising the space, as well as working with us during the development to ensure the specification met our requirements," she said.

"This move represents the next chapter for the business and continuing the legacy of Voysey House."

Historic England said the restoration project had also improved the building's energy efficiency.

Restoring the façade to its former glory required "meticulous" replacement and repair of the building's original white glazed bricks, Staffordshire blue bricks, and Portland stone trim, it added.

Bruce Thompson, head of development and regeneration at Dorrington, said: “The redevelopment of this special asset, the only commercial building Voysey designed, was unique and rewarding.

"The opportunity to breathe new life into buildings of this calibre and create outstanding, highly sustainable workplace is very much in line with the Dorrington approach. We look forward to welcoming Sanderson back home.”

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