Shrewsbury's 'foam house': You won't believe what happened next - or what it looks like inside now
Way back in 2021, building workers were called into emergency action to stabilise a Shrewsbury house at potential risk of collapse.
The property in St Michael's Street became known as 'the foam house', thanks to the unusual and striking method used to prevent disaster.
Workers packed the house full of plastic tubes and concrete foam to stop any risk of it coming crashing down.
Fast-forward four years and it is difficult to believe the extent of the property's transformation, which has been carried out by Shrewsbury business Summer House Interiors.
The business, owned by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Katie Thorner, has completely transformed the property, from the ground up.
Summer House Interiors is a design studio and build team based in Shrewsbury, which offers a full package of support to its customers, from design to supply to installation.
The 'Foam House' project is just one in a 12-year history of remarkable renovations undertaken by the company, which now employs more than 30 people.
Stuart said that he had bought 'the foam house' in January 2024 and had then gone through planning permission for the extensive project.
The house, which has been transformed into four luxury apartments, will now become an Airbnb, as well as providing a place for potential clients to visit, and stay, while they discuss projects and possibilities with the team.
It means the property will become something of a habitable advert for Summer House Interiors' work.
Stuart explained that his own passion for period buildings had drawn him to the house - and its potential - despite the obvious challenges.
They bought the house at the start of 2024, and since planning permission was agreed it has taken around eight months for the work to be completed.
As a nod to its history Stuart said they plan to place a plaque outside detailing its past as 'the foam house'.
The firm has shared images of the transformation online, and this week is hosting an 'open house' event which has attracted huge interest.
Stuart said the response had been unprecedented, with around 100 people wanting to get a glimpse inside.
He said: "We have people ringing all the time and asking if they can go and see, that's why we decided to do an open day."
Although the home's past has undoubtedly inspired some of that interest, the striking redesign of the property will also have drawn in many eager to look at what the firm can do.
Offering a complete 'turnkey' operation to reduce stress for clients, Stuart said it is a "practice what we preach business", adding: "Clients come to us knowing they are going to get honest advice and we are not going to sugar-coat it."
"Everyone that works with us takes a massive amount of pride in what we do."
He added: "I am so proud of our fantastic team's delivery on the 'foam house' project and we are really excited to be delivering a large number of other projects in 2026."
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