Forty homes in Tile Hill have been upgraded as part of a £2.1 million refurbishment aimed at improving energy efficiency and prolonging the life of a notable example of Coventry’s post‑war housing stock.
Work to improve warmth and reduce energy use
Four blocks of maisonettes on Jardine Crescent — designed by Coventry architect Arthur Ling and recognised by the RIBA for their architectural significance — have received new roofs, replacement windows and external doors, upgraded ventilation systems and a modern curtain wall to replace dated exterior panels.
The programme was delivered by the housing association Citizen in partnership with sustainable regeneration specialist Equans. It received £400,000 of support from the Matrix Housing Partnership and the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Wave 3 retrofit programme.
- Number of homes refurbished: 40
- Total programme cost: £2.1m
- External grant support: £400,000
- Delivery partners: Citizen and Equans; funders include Matrix Housing Partnership and WMCA
Heritage concerns addressed alongside practical upgrades
Project contractors and Citizen say the work was carried out with care to retain the properties’ defining features and the intent of Ling’s original design while improving thermal performance. Officials expect the improvements to help homes retain heat more effectively, reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions — all measures that could ease pressure on household heating bills.
“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,”
Bridget Guilfoyle, Director of Asset Management at Citizen, made the comment in a statement accompanying the completion of the works. Residents have reported immediate, tangible benefits. One tenant said the new windows sealed drafts and allowed more sunlight into the property, while added safety features such as child locks were also welcomed.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Homes refurbished | 40 maisonettes |
| Project cost | £2.1m |
| Grant funding | £400,000 (Matrix & WMCA Wave 3) |
The works form part of wider efforts in the West Midlands to retrofit existing housing to meet modern energy performance expectations. By combining fabric improvements with upgraded ventilation, the scheme contributes to both resident comfort and the region’s carbon reduction goals.
For tenants, the changes are practical: better-insulated homes tend to need less heating to reach comfortable temperatures. For the city’s architectural heritage, the project demonstrates that post‑war buildings can be adapted to contemporary standards without erasing the characteristics that make them notable.
