Marta Nowicka, an architect turned developer, has forged an unconventional path shaped by personal loss and a commitment to creative reuse. The daughter of Polish refugees who immigrated to England after World War II, Nowicka grew up immersed in environments under construction, a backdrop that arguably influenced her later career.

During her studies at Kingston University in the 1980s, she focused on the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, working under notable figures such as architect Fred Scott and interior designer Ben Kelly. Kelly is recognized for designing Manchester’s iconic Haçienda nightclub. After graduation, Nowicka established her own design practice, Nowicka Stern, building a diverse portfolio that included projects for the visual effects company Framestore, London nightclub Fabric, and AnOther magazine. One of her more innovative works featured an office interior with tractor seats suspended on chains and a live grass lawn installed by Kew Gardens, which became known for its morning dew.

In 1999, Nowicka and her then-husband, artist Sean Kimber—a member of the Young British Artists (YBA) group—purchased a dilapidated 19th-century warehouse near Old Street, London. At the time, the area was a hub for artists and squatters, with neighbors including fellow YBAs Gavin Turk and Gary Hume. The couple began converting the building into a live-work space, making unconventional modifications such as welding wheels to kitchen units and customizing industrial features to fit their needs.

However, tragedy struck in 2001 when Kimber died suddenly at age 36. Nowicka was pregnant with their son, Lucas, who was born three months after Kimber’s death. The loss profoundly altered her priorities, prompting her to scale back her architectural practice to focus on raising her child. She sold her stake in Nowicka Stern and supplemented her income by lecturing in interior architecture at London Metropolitan University, a role she has maintained intermittently for two decades.

Seeking new challenges, Nowicka took a significant risk in 2005 by purchasing No 16 Charles Square, a dilapidated grade II* listed Georgian house in Hoxton. Despite the reluctance of other developers to take on the project, she remortgaged her warehouse and secured a substantial bridging loan to acquire the property. The decision marked a turning point in her career, transforming her from designer to developer. Reflecting on the move, Nowicka described it as a “leap of faith,” driven by a desire to rebuild both her professional and personal life after loss.