Westminster City Council has approved Adjaye Associates’ plans for the redevelopment of 5 Strand, reports Adjaye Associates.
Development manager Alchemi Group, on behalf of investment firm BlackRock, Inc. will redevelop the site.
The new development will comprise 6 floors of new Grade A, flexible office space to meet the demands of the modern office market. It will also comprise of 26 luxury residential apartments on the upper four levels and a lively public realm animated by retail at ground level.
Drawing inspiration from the surrounding Grade I and II listed buildings, the approved development will provide a contemporary architectural landmark that sympathises with the surrounding character and language of the The Strand and immediate area.
Particular attention has been paid to ensuring height and roof lines of the new development respond appropriately to those of its neighbours, with special consideration given to the buildings visibility from Trafalgar Square and The National Gallery.
Employing a diverse palette of high quality, sustainable materials Adjaye Associates design not only demonstrates its commitment to detail and the importance of creating a relationship between the building and its surroundings, but also its consideration to the buildings environmental credentials. The new development aspires to a 35% carbon reduction through the use of high performance building fabric and glazing as well as low to zero carbon technologies and smart building systems. The commercial office workspace will also target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification.
The new development will also deliver an improved streetscape and public realm for the famous London thoroughfare. A cantilevered retail colonnade, positioned at street level, has been introduced as a contemporary re-interpretation of the arch motifs frequently used in the locality but also to provide passive control measures - opening up the ground plane to provide a clear and generous public conduit from The Strand to Charing Cross.
Speaking of the announcement Sir David Adjaye commented: “This is not only an exciting opportunity to revitalise an historic London site through the creation of an exemplar mixed use development. The development will also begin to restore The Strands architectural confluence as a core power axis in line with that of The Mall, Whitehall and Pall Mall.”
Laura Marino, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Alchemi Group said: “To say we are thrilled to have achieved planning for the client is an understatement. The architecture speaks for itself and is unlike what is currently being built across London. It was crucial to come up with a building that addresses the importance of the site itself and would stand on its own without overshadowing its immediate surroundings nor the conservation area. Adjaye Associates also skillfully met the demands of a rigorous design process which has led to an outstanding mixed-use development.”
2016 November - planning application submitted for:
Demolition of existing building and construction of replacement mixed use building, comprising retail (Class A1), restaurant (Class A3), office (Class B1) and residential (Class C3) floorspace across two basements, lower ground and ground floors and 11 upper floors, public realm works and associated alterations. Developer: Alchemi Group. Architect: Adjaye Associates. Westmonster Council Ref no 16/10951/FULL.
Sources: Design and Access Statement by Adjaye Associates from November 2016 westminster.gov.uk/planning