A landmark building will be turned into a gated block of flats for “young professionals”, the architect behind the project has said.

Waltham Forest council approved the plan for the former City Blinds building near the Tesco superstore in Gainsborough Road, Leytonstone, this month.

Loughton-based Clear Architects has revealed the ground and first floors will be extended, with the creation of three one-bedroom, five two-bedroom and one three-bedroom flats.

The firm’s Melanie Clear said a date had not yet been set for when building would start and no decision had been made on the cost of the flats.

She said: “The flats have been designed with young professionals in mind.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into an industrial building, retaining its unique heritage features while repurposing its function for residential use.

“We have been inspired by the fabric of the building and incorporated elements of its original design sympathetically into the new, modern building, as desired and demanded by young professionals.”