DV Architects
  • What we do
  • About
  • Client projects
  • Sectors
  • News
  • Contact

Waterend Barn

St Albans

This pub comprises two former listed barns. The larger barn originally stood next to Water End House, by a ford over the River Lea, in the Parish of Sandridge. Water End House and Barn were built around 1610, by Sir John Jennings. In 1938, Water End Barn was dismantled and re-erected in the middle of St Albans, serving as Waterend Barn Restaurant. A few years later, it was enlarged with a smaller barn from Little Hormead.

Project details

Client
JD Wetherspoon
Location
St Albans
Size
11,500 sq.m / 123,500 sq.ft
Status
Completed

The challenge for our interior design specialists was that the second barn didn’t have its own identity. The first barn contained the main bar and was very successful but the second was mostly used for overspill and occasionally used for parties or groups. It wasn’t inviting and it didn’t perform well for the business. Both barns were listed buildings and therefore needed to be dressed sensitively, ensuring compliance with listed building consent.

DV Architects’ team of venue design specialists removed the stand-alone bar from the second barn to create space. In addition, the lighting was enhanced and a stunning interior design scheme created. The new internal refurbishment incorporated decoration, artwork throughout the space and new furniture that would work in groups of two, three or four, and could also come together allowing the space to be used as a banqueting hall. Now everybody orders from the original main barn and then chooses to sit in the refurbished barn. In fact, the refurbished barn has proven so popular that plans are now in place to upgrade the first barn later this year.

Related projects

Abraham Darby

Brierley Hill

The Abraham Derby is situated at the popular Merry Hill Shopping Centre. Its location is just outside of the mall, between the car park and the main entrance. The main challenge for our venue design specialists to overcome was that customers were walking past and not feeling invited to go in. It had almost become a blind spot.

View

Abraham Darby

Brierley Hill

Leisure

Acorn Inn

Lichfield

DV Architects designed an open gantry food area, where customers will see clean crockery on clean tiles, under heat lamps, as their first impression. The team worked with the existing glazed atrium roof light in the middle of the pub and introduced additional lighting to lighten and brighten the venue, improving its appeal.

View

Acorn Inn

Lichfield

Leisure

The Mare Pool

Sutton Coldfield

DV Architects’ team of venue design specialists were challenged to consider both the exterior and interior space and to provide a full design and build service to attract new customers from the retail development.

View

The Mare Pool

Sutton Coldfield

Leisure
View

The Winter Seam

Castleford

Leisure
View

The Square Bottle

Chester

Leisure
View

Moon in the Square

Bournemouth

Leisure
View

Pryzm & Curve

Plymouth

Leisure
Click to view our complete portfolio
Click to view our services
What we do
  • Interiors
  • Architecture
  • Design
  • Concepts
  • Visuals and Flythroughs
  • Consulting
  • Planning
  • Marketing Partner
About
  • About
Client projects
  • View all client projects
Sectors
  • Leisure
  • Hospitality
  • Commercial/Offices
  • Heritage
DVA Ventures Limited
Hallcourt House, 8 Hallcourt Crescent, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 0AB
Contact us
01543 547 877
studio@dv-architects.co.uk
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Website design by PlinkFizz