Yeatman Court residents move in at former Mothercare HQ

The 1918 building in Cherry Tree Road, which was originally Yeatman’s Sweet Factory, has been converted into a residential block.

BYM Residential purchased the building from Mothercare and HGH Consulting and, alongside HKR Architects, converted it before it was sold to Watford Community Housing.

• Former Mothercare HQ transformed into 145 homes
• Cinch Storage to open at former Mothercare HQ next week
• Mothercare to leave Watford headquarters

Yeatman Court (Image: HKR Architects)

The housing association has confirmed that the first homes were completed at the end of September and some residents began to move in from early October. Work on the remaining floors is continuing.

HKR Architects director Kola Ojeyomi said: “The conversion of this prime office HQ has enabled us to restore this building to its art deco heritage, which has been a key part of Watford’s history for over 100 years, whilst providing much needed affordable homes that set high standards in sustainability and design.”

Yeatman Court show apartment. (Image: Watford Community Housing)

Yeatman Court (Image: HKR Architects)

Architects said they found that the original building shape “didn’t lend itself to residential use” so two sections had to be demolished and the façade had to be redesigned because it was made up of large areas of glazing.

In 2019, Watford Borough Council granted prior approval to turn the office building into housing and in 2020 Mothercare announced it would be vacating its headquarters.

The housing development is now known as Yeatman Court.

Yeatman Court show apartment. (Image: Watford Community Housing)

Yeatman Court (Image: HKR Architects)Yeatman Court (Image: HKR Architects)Yeatman Court (Image: HKR Architects)