We are located in
Central Manchester
OFFICE
3 Stevenson Square,
Manchester M1 1DN
(+44) 161 521 3234
info@createitstudios.co.uk
Create It Studio Architects
Heritage & Listed Building Architects in Manchester
Bring an old building back to life — without losing what makes it special.
You can see what the building could be.
The problem is everyone keeps telling you what you can't do with it. It's listed, or it sits in a conservation area, and suddenly every plan comes with a warning attached.
You've heard the stories. Applications that drag on for a year. Conservation officers who say no. Costs that climb the moment anyone mentions the word "heritage".
So a building full of potential starts to feel like a building full of risk.
It shouldn't be that way. With the right architect guiding the process, an old building is an opportunity — not a trap.
That's where we come in
We're Create It Studio Architects. We've been designing buildings in Manchester since 2015, and heritage and listed buildings are some of the most rewarding work we do.
We know how daunting these projects feel from the outside. We also know the system well enough to move through it with confidence rather than fear.
We're RIBA Chartered and ARB registered. 94% of our planning applications are approved, and our projects carry more than £100m in combined GDV. When it comes to older and protected buildings, that experience is real: we've secured consent to convert a Grade II listed building in Ardwick into seven apartments, taken a Neo-Baroque landmark in Manchester and reimagined it as a Greek café, and led a 3.3-million-pound revamp of the British Muslim Heritage Centre that blends history with modern use.
We work with SME property developers and commercial business owners across Greater Manchester and the North West — people who want to do right by an old building and make the numbers work.
What "listed" actually means for your project
A listed building is one recorded on the National Heritage List because of its special architectural or historic interest. Grade II covers the majority; Grade II* and Grade I are rarer and more tightly protected.
Being listed doesn't mean the building is frozen. It means changes need care, and most need listed building consent before any work begins.
Listed building consent is separate from ordinary planning permission. A project can need one, the other, or both. Getting that wrong is one of the quickest ways to lose time — or to carry out work that has to be undone.
Then there are conservation areas. Here it isn't a single building that's protected but the character of a place. The building itself may not be listed, yet what you do to its frontage, its roofline or its setting still matters to the local planning authority.
None of this should put you off. It simply means the early decisions carry more weight than usual — which is exactly where a heritage architect earns their keep.
Why these projects go wrong
Most heritage projects stall for the same reason: the design is drawn first, and the conversation with the conservation officer happens second.
By then, the plans are fixed and the officer's concerns land as objections rather than guidance. The application goes in, comes back with problems, and the whole thing resets — months later and thousands of pounds lighter.
The irony is that conservation officers are usually trying to help. They know the building. They know what the committee will accept. Brought in early and treated as a collaborator, they become one of the most useful people in the room.
How we do it differently
We read the building first. Before we design, we understand what makes it significant — the features worth keeping, the later additions that don't matter, and where there's genuine room to change. That understanding shapes everything that follows.
We write a proper heritage statement. Most listed building and conservation-area applications need one. It explains the building's significance and shows, clearly, how your proposals respect it. A good heritage statement does more than tick a box — it makes your case for you.
We talk to the conservation officer early. We open the conversation before the design is locked down, so their input shapes the scheme rather than fighting it. That single habit is why so many of our heritage applications get through.
We balance old and new honestly. The best heritage work doesn't pretend to be older than it is. It keeps and celebrates what's special, and lets new interventions be confidently of today — the approach behind the glass extension at the British Muslim Heritage Centre.
What that looks like in practice
Our listed and heritage projects cover a wide range of buildings and uses:
- Colwyn Chambers — a Grade II listed Neo-Baroque building in central Manchester, redesigned as a Greek café while preserving its character
- Fenton House — a Grade II listed building in Ardwick, granted planning approval to become seven apartments while meeting every conservation requirement
- 75 New North Road — a Grade II listed building in Huddersfield, approved for conversion into a community and religious centre with children's classes
- KD Grammar School — a Grade II listed school in Whalley Range, where our designs add top-floor science labs
- The Blue Bell — a locally listed building in Stockport, with planning secured to refurbish it into residential apartments
- British Muslim Heritage Centre — a 3.3-million-pound revamp adding offices, rooms and event spaces, with a glass extension that blends history with modern use
Different buildings, the same discipline: protect what matters, unlock what's possible.
How we work with you
Our process follows the RIBA Plan of Works, in three clear steps:
Let's Talk — a free consultation and site appraisal, or a review of your existing scheme. We'll tell you honestly what your project needs to earn, and where the pressure points are likely to be. No obligation.
Let's Design — concept design built around your target numbers, with options tested and costs attached. We'll take it through planning permission, building regulations, and tender. Our 94% approval rate is the product of doing this properly.
Let's Build — technical design, tender support, construction and project management. We stay involved to make sure what was designed is what gets built.
Through every stage you get one point of contact, a clear programme, and no surprises in the fee.
What we need from you to get started
Bring us whatever you have. A site address. A rough budget. An existing scheme that isn't stacking up. Planning drawings that came back over cost.
We'll come back with an honest view of what's achievable — and whether we're the right practice for it.
Let's talk about your building
The earlier we're involved, the more we can protect.
Book your free consultation
Or call us on 0161 521 3234. Office hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a listed building?
A listed building is one entered on the National Heritage List for England because of its special architectural or historic interest. There are three grades: Grade II, which covers most listed buildings; Grade II*, which is rarer; and Grade I, which is the most important and most tightly protected. The listing can cover the whole building, inside and out, and sometimes features in its grounds.
Can I alter or extend a listed building?
Yes, in most cases you can. Listing doesn't freeze a building — it means changes must be handled with care and usually need listed building consent first. The key is to understand what makes the building special, protect those features, and design any alterations so they respect the building's character.
What's the difference between listed building consent and planning permission?
They are two separate approvals. Planning permission deals with the use and development of land and buildings; listed building consent deals specifically with changes to a listed building that affect its special character. A project can need one, the other, or both, and it's important to identify which from the outset so nothing is missed.
Do I need consent for a building in a conservation area?
Possibly. In a conservation area it's the character of the wider area that's protected, not just individual buildings. Some works that would normally be permitted need planning permission here, and there are extra controls over things like demolition and trees. We'll check the position for your specific building before any design work starts.
What is a heritage statement and do I need one?
A heritage statement is a document that explains a building's historic and architectural significance and shows how your proposals respect it. Most listed building consent applications and many conservation-area applications require one. Done well, it does more than satisfy a requirement — it makes the case for your scheme to the planning authority.
How long does listed building consent take?
Local planning authorities aim to decide most applications within about eight weeks, though more complex heritage schemes can take longer. The biggest factor is usually how well the application is prepared and how early the conservation officer has been involved. Getting those right is the most reliable way to avoid delays.
Does working with a listed building cost more?
It can, because heritage projects often call for careful, specialist work and good-quality materials. But early, informed decisions keep those costs under control, and a well-run application avoids the far larger cost of a refusal or abortive work. We'll give you an honest view of the likely implications at the start.
How do you work with conservation officers?
We bring them into the conversation early, before the design is fixed, and treat them as collaborators rather than obstacles. They know the building and what the committee is likely to accept, so their input shapes a stronger scheme and a smoother application. It's one of the main reasons our heritage applications succeed.
Do you work on buildings outside Manchester?
Yes. We're based at Stevenson Square in central Manchester and most of our work is across Greater Manchester and the North West, but we take on heritage projects further afield where it's a good fit — including listed buildings in Huddersfield and Stockport.
How quickly can you start?
We can usually review a building and its heritage position within a week of hearing from you. Call us on 0161 521 3234 or book a free consultation and we'll arrange a time.
Explore our other services
Architectural Design Services
SITE APPRAISAL
Planning Permissison
Building Regulations
Tender
Construction
Project Management
CDM REGULATIONS
Principal Designer
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