Renovation of a vintage mansion 1 Charm of a vintage mansion

In this series, we would like to share the appeal and points to keep in mind when renovating a vintage apartment , based on a case study of the renovation of a vintage apartment that our company designed and supervised.

| Comparison of new and vintage apartments

Many people who purchase an apartment have trouble deciding whether to buy a new build or a second-hand property.
The appeal of newly built apartments is their brand new atmosphere, the latest facilities, and well-equipped shared areas.
In contrast, the appeal of vintage apartments is generally cited as their excellent location, good old elegance and quality, and spacious site environment.

| The joys of a vintage apartment

But that's not the only big difference.

In a newly built apartment, it is difficult to be particular about materials and fittings. Recently, not only wallpaper and fixtures, but even flooring is sometimes made of vinyl or sheet-like fake materials. Even if you can upgrade them, it is impossible to be particular about the details of the fixture frames or the fine fittings.
In contrast, the facilities and finishes of vintage apartments are already outdated, so it is more realistic to purchase a property before it has been renovated and create everything to your liking, from the layout to the materials and fit-out.
In other words, with a vintage apartment, you can create a space with the same attention to detail as you would with a custom-built home. (Of course, even with a new build, you can tear everything down and rebuild it if you have the financial means, but I think it's a waste to tear down something that you're not using in the first place.)

This is where an opportunity arises for architects to show their strengths.