Oxford Street (House of Fraser)

Adaptive repurposing of a heritage building to a mix of new uses

This iconic Art Deco department store on Oxford Street is reimagined as a vibrant, mixed-use development. Designed for flexibility, opportunity and adaptability, the proposals will refurbish and extend, rejuvenating the building and celebrating the elegance of the Art Deco style and its proportions. Attractive shopfronts will enhance the retail experience at ground floor level with two new double height entrances providing access to flexible office space above. The existing Portland stone façade will be repaired and conserved and windows replaced.

Client: Publica Properties
Location: London
Size: 34,000 sqm (GEA)
Construction Cost: £132m
Status: Under construction

Due to low ceiling heights, the existing sixth and seventh floors will be replaced with three new floors, two with large, flexible, office floor-plates and a restaurant on the top floor. Stepped back terraces will give outdoor space with 360 degree views across London.

There are a number of potential tenants who are exploring the potential of three storey retail spaces and alternative uses such as visitor attractions themed on art, literature and film.

Key interventions:

Scope: Basement, ground and five floors retrofitted, three new floors added.
Windows: replaced with energy-efficient, solarcoated double-glazing units
Heating/cooling: ASHP for + 35% carbon reduction and high efficiency boilers and aircooled chillers in the retained elements for +50% carbon reduction.
Greener spaces: Naturally vented winter gardens, external terraces.
Reuse: some 1930s steel columns are reused in new floors in Tower Bridge Court
Active travel: 319 cycle spaces, 319 lockers, 31 showers.
EPC: A (target) new build floors, B (target) refurbished floors, upgraded from D.
Certification targets: BREEAM Excellent, WELL Gold, SCORS A+, Wired Scored Gold