Leazes Terrace, Newcastle
Leazes Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1
A full refurbishment that preserves 200 years of Georgian character — and brings it entirely up to date.
Leazes Terrace is one of Newcastle's most architecturally distinguished addresses — a Grade I listed Georgian terrace designed by Thomas Oliver in 1829, sitting directly opposite Leazes Park with the city centre and St James' Park just minutes away. YayYay acquired a tired and underperforming flat within the terrace and undertook a comprehensive refurbishment that would make it one of Newcastle's most sought-after residential properties.
The guiding principle was absolute: preserve the Georgian character in everything visible, and modernise everything beneath. The result is a two-bedroom flat of exceptional quality — high original ceilings, period cornicing and architraves, original sash windows — alongside underfloor heating throughout, full smart home automation, and bespoke CNC joinery fabricated in YayYay's own workshops. The property was retained in the investment portfolio on completion.
"The brief was to make it feel as if the building had always been this way — as if the Georgians themselves had somehow anticipated underfloor heating and a smart home."
The Grade I Challenge
Working within the constraints of a Grade I listing required meticulous pre-planning and close liaison with Historic England throughout. Every element of the scheme — from the specification of joinery profiles to fixing methodologies, material choices and finishes — required listed building consent. Nothing visible could jar with the original fabric of the building.
This level of constraint demands a contractor with genuine heritage experience and a careful, methodical approach. It is precisely the kind of project where YayYay's in-house capabilities — our own joinery workshops, directly employed trades, and decades of listed building experience — make the decisive difference.
Underfloor Heating Throughout
Underfloor heating was installed across the entire flat — a technically demanding proposition within a listed building where floor build-up heights must be carefully controlled to preserve original room proportions and avoid any risk to historic fabric. The system was designed and installed to provide even, efficient heat throughout without a single radiator in sight, maintaining the clean, uncluttered aesthetic that the interior demands.
Shelly Smart Home System
The entire property was integrated with a Shelly smart home system, providing full control of lighting scenes, heating zones, and the building environment from a single interface — accessible remotely or via in-room controls. The installation was carried out with all cabling and hardware fully concealed, with no visible impact on the listed building fabric. The result is a property that is as intelligent as it is beautiful.
CNC Joinery — Made In-House
All joinery within the property — the bespoke bar unit in the reception room, kitchen cabinetry, wardrobes, and storage solutions throughout — was custom-designed and CNC-machined in YayYay's own workshops. This capability is central to what sets us apart: rather than specifying off-the-shelf products that compromise on proportion or profile, every piece was drawn to suit the specific geometry and character of the rooms it serves.
The bespoke steel and solid oak open-riser staircase — a striking contemporary feature within a period setting — was also fabricated in-house, with each component designed and manufactured to integrate precisely with the existing building structure without a single penetration requiring listed building consent to be revisited.
Scope of Works
Full strip-out and refurbishment of a two-bedroom flat within Grade I listed Georgian terrace. Key elements: underfloor heating throughout; Shelly smart home integration to all rooms; bespoke CNC joinery including kitchen, bar unit, wardrobes and storage — all manufactured in-house; bespoke steel and solid oak open-riser staircase; herringbone hardwood floors to reception and bar area; large-format stone tiling to bathroom with designer black fixtures and fittings; limestone fireplace surround with log burner installation; full redecoration; new M&E throughout; heritage-consented sash window overhaul.
Project Details
Underfloor Heating
Full-property wet underfloor heating system installed within a Grade I listed building, with zero visible impact on period fabric.
Shelly Smart Home
Full property automation — lighting, heating and environment — all concealed within the listed building fabric with no visible hardware.
In-House CNC Joinery
Every piece of bespoke joinery custom-designed and CNC-machined in YayYay's own workshops — kitchen, bar unit, staircase, wardrobes and storage.