S-FABS' role in the revival of Handley’s Corner, Southsea

While many of S-FABS’ projects begin from the ground up, a significant portion of their work focuses on transforming and rejuvenating existing buildings to serve a fresh purpose – one that reflects the evolving needs of an area.
A key example of this is Handley’s Corner in Southsea. Known to most locals as the Debenhams on Palmerston Road (which closed in 2020), the site has recently been transformed into luxury flats, adding nearly 150 new homes to this popular area. With a history dating back much further – including a major redevelopment following damage in World War II – this transformation marked yet another significant milestone for the building.
The announcement was met with an overwhelmingly positive response across Portsmouth, even being described as one of the city’s “best developments of the last decade”.
From brief to completion, Handley’s Corner went from a vacant retail unit to 143 high-spec, spacious flats, complete with parking, a GP surgery, and commercial units on the ground floor.
The S-FABS team supported the supply and installation of steelwork on the project, working closely with several partners throughout. Their first priority was to strengthen the existing steelwork, enabling certain sections of the building to be safely demolished while limiting the amount of new steel needed. To facilitate this, they installed 33 tonnes of bracings across all levels of the existing structure – from the basement right up to what was then the second floor.
Once complete, they created two new levels of rooftop steelwork and installed a full height extension on the rear of the building, using a completely independent, free-standing steel frame, which was later enclosed in brickwork.
Some of the steel used was galvanized – with a protective layer of zinc coating – due to the building’s proximity to the sea. This not only provides enhanced protection against the elements, but also significantly extends the lifespan of the structure while removing the need for further painting typically required in this kind of coastal environment.
Located in the heart of Southsea, this well-known building has now been totally regenerated into a vibrant collection of homes with unparalleled access to the city’s cultural scene, independent shops, and dining hotspots.

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