Our Story: Why Alchemi Renovations Exists
If you’ve ever had a flood at home, you’ll probably sympathise with how Alchemi Renovations (AR) came to be.
Back in 2021, a record-breaking downpour poured itself neatly into several of our freshly restored apartments at the Grade II-listed Westminster Fire Station. Picture this: years spent delivering a technically complex, design-led restoration during a global pandemic, juggling delays, contractors, and the general chaos that came with it. Finally, the finish line was in sight. The majority of apartments were fitted out — beautiful, high-spec, detailed.
And then the phone rings. Emergency on site. You need to come down now.
A flood, you say? Yes. A flood.
Nothing like an epically biblical rainstorm to remind you that even London’s most impressive buildings — new or old — aren’t necessarily ready for the future.
What We Learned
That day taught us something uncomfortable: London’s housing stock — especially listed buildings — are undeniably beautiful, but notoriously inefficient.
Even though we had fitted everything exactly as specified by engineers and M&E consultants, it became clear it wasn’t enough. Cue finger-pointing, engineers armed with jargon thicker than concrete, and endless site meetings. Somewhere in that chaos, it dawned on us: the build had a gap, because the market has a gap. A gap no one was paying enough attention to.
What was missing? Retrofit specialists — people who could look at the whole picture, not just the silos. And while those professionals exist, there aren’t enough of them and we decided we wanted to take it further to help homeowners help themselves because it’s actually necessary….or will be.
From Alchemi Group to Alchemi Renovations
For over two decades, we’d been Alchemi Group, delivering award-winning, boutique, design-led residential developments and restoring landmark buildings across London. If you’ve admired Westminster Fire Station, 55 Victoria Street, or walked through Leinster Square, you’ve already seen our work.
But while Alchemi Group focused on the big, technically complex projects liked listed restorations on a forensic level or condemned buildings — we saw another urgent need: helping homeowners and landlords navigate retrofit (or, as we prefer to call it, future-proofing).
Retrofit: Still a Maze
Retrofit remains fragmented:
Consultants speaking a language that might as well be Latin.
Reports so heavy they end up in a drawer instead of guiding decisions.
Endless tradespeople, but no one coordinating the moving parts into a clear, confident roadmap.
We knew there had to be a better way.
What Makes Us Different
Experience, for one. Alchemi Renovations was born to make future-proofing + retrofit/renovation clear, approachable, and beautifully executed — just as we did with Alchemi Group developments and interiors led by Studio L London.
And then there’s the personal touch: with AR, you don’t just get a plan, you get us. The founders, hands-on. Bringing that extra layer of care, diligence, and accountability for what’s likely one of your most important assets.
Our Tiered Model
We built a structure so you can choose the level of support that fits your needs:
Bronze — EHIP (Energy Home Improvement Plan): EPC uplift forecasts, thermal imaging, and a roadmap that’s DIY-ready if you’d rather manage it yourself.
Silver — WHIP (Whole-Home Improvement Plan): A comprehensive roadmap with costs, value-add clarity, and specification recommendations.
Gold: Expert consultancy and project/design oversight.
Platinum: Full turnkey delivery, including interiors and design-led décor installation.
In other words: whether you want to stay hands-on or hand us the keys, we’ve designed retrofit so it works around you.
Why This Matters Now
Regulations are tightening. EPC standards are rising. Energy bills aren’t exactly going down. And retrofit expertise? In short supply.
But here’s the good news: future-proofing your home doesn’t have to be confusing, or dull. It can be clear, design-led, straightforward — and dare we say, even enjoyable.
That’s what we’re here to prove.
Looking Ahead
Alchemi Group taught us how to deliver landmark projects high on style, concept, and quality. Alchemi Renovations exists to bring that same care, craft, and clarity to individual homeowners and landlords.
We still obsess over architectural detail. We still believe in design integrity. We’ve just sharpened our focus on efficiency, resilience, and long-term value — because that’s the only way London and UK homes (and their owners) will be ready for what’s next.
So here we are: a new chapter, the same obsession with design and detail — just with fewer floods (we hope).
Ready to start your future-proof plan? Book a consultation today