How Hoppy's Turned a 1970s Home Into Their Most Impressive Office
A Heritage Challenge Became This Office's Standout Feature
Most builders would suggest a complete renovation by stripping everything out of a 1970s family home when you want to convert it into a working office space. But that's not always the best route to take. Our clients, Hoppy's Handwash wanted to preserve what's already there and create something far more impressive than a generic fitout ever could. .
About the Client
Hoppy's Handwash Café needed a professional administrative hub for their expanding business. Their existing operations were scattered, and they needed a centralised space where admin staff could work efficiently and directors could host client meetings. They purchased a tired two storey brick home that screamed "1970s residential," not "professional business headquarters." But the location was perfect. The building had good bones.
Turning Heritage Tiles Into a Design Feature
Most builders would've quoted to replace all the flooring. Start fresh, make it match, job done. But that approach misses the opportunity sitting right under your feet.
We worked alongside the Hoppy's team to develop a strategy that turned their flooring into this office's signature look. Those heritage tiles? They weren't a liability. They were character. The kind of detail that makes a commercial space memorable instead of generic.
The re-furbished timber staircase was staying, we decided to use the same timber and work these into the flooring. Not as a patch job, but as a deliberate design choice.
Our solution was precise work. We sourced timber that matched the existing staircase, then custom cut pieces to integrate seamlessly with the heritage tiles. Where walls had been removed, instead of awkward gaps, you now see intentional timber inlays that connect the stairs to the floor. The size & width needed to be perfect. The colour match exact. The placement deliberate.
We restored what could be saved, repaired what needed fixing in the house and enhanced it all with modern elements. New plumbing and electrical throughout. The leaking roof sealed properly. Fresh gutters and downpipes. Then we layered in the commercial requirements: an updated kitchen for staff, modern bathroom facilities, and dedicated parking within the property.
The design approach balanced old and new. Those signature arched windows with contrasting brick details? We kept them. They became a feature, not something to hide. Glass partitions defined spaces without closing them off. Contemporary fixtures and clean lines created the professional aesthetic, while the heritage tiles and timber details provided warmth and character.
Beyond a Renovation: A Workspace That Elevates the Business
Walk in now and you'd never guess this was someone's home 12 months ago.
The transformation delivered exactly what Hoppy's needed: a professional headquarters that actually impresses clients. Admin staff work in a light filled, functional environment. Directors host meetings in spaces that reflect the quality of their business. And that heritage flooring everyone worried about? It's the talking point that makes their office memorable.
The measurable impact:
- Completed on schedule despite complex flooring integration
- Property value increased measurably with the commercial conversion
- Dedicated on site parking created within property boundaries
- 100% of heritage tiles retained and enhanced, zero waste to landfill
The new plumbing, roof, and appliances for energy efficiency could easily lead to decades of reliable service from this structure. The kitchen and bathroom facilities are truly modern and not just surface improvements. More importantly, Hoppy's now has space that enables their business growth rather than impeding it.
But the real win? That flooring challenge that could've been a compromise became the space's standout feature. The timber infills don't hide the fact that this building has history. They celebrate it. Every client who walks through notices those heritage tiles paired with contemporary design. It tells a story about respecting quality and thinking beyond the obvious solution.
Your Commercial Conversion Doesn't Have to Mean Starting from Scratch
If you're looking at an existing building and seeing potential buried under dated finishes, you don't need a builder who'll quote you a full demolition. You need someone who can see what's worth keeping and knows how to integrate it with modern commercial requirements.
We've been working with Hoppy's for years, building their car wash facilities and understanding their standards. That relationship meant we could deliver a headquarters that truly fits their business, not just tick boxes on a scope of works.
Ready to talk about transforming your commercial space? Let's discuss what's possible when you work with builders who see opportunities instead of obstacles.