An urban oasis

This project involved the conservation and restoration of five historic buildings that form a prominent corner of Piccadilly Circus, set within the Soho Conservation Area, successfully establishing a new mixed-use development whilst simultaneously protecting and enhancing the historic fabric. Informed by detailed surveys, elements of significance were identified and restored, whilst non-historic interiors were dismantled. Retained and restored fabric includes the 1909 Portland stone façade and shopfront, the former banking hall interior of 4-6 Glasshouse Street, the 1889 Faience façade of 11-17 Shaftsbury Avenue, and the 19th Century red brick façades and shopfront of 19 and 20 Denman Street.

Collaboration with consultants and specialist craftspeople was key to the success of the project, and the team included a stonemason, terracotta manufacturer, plasterwork specialist, decoration conservators. This collaboration enabled the development of innovative technologies that allowed the seamless incorporation of the new structure into the retained and restored historic fabric. The façades were carefully dismantled, repaired and reinstated with some minor—but carefully executed—alterations to suit the new use of the development and also to enhance the thermal performance of the buildings.