Regent Street
- Client: Shearer Property Group
- Contacts: Simon Gillett, Steve Harvey
Rolfe Judd Architecture’s appointment to refurbish the vacant former Dickins & Jones department store presented us with a unique opportunity to transform a much under-utilised landmark Grade II listed building and deliver a vibrant mixed use development within the heart of the West End.
The building layout was completely reworked and rationalised to maximise value. 11,000m2 of Prime retail was located on the lower floors with 8,000m2 of high spec. office plates introduced on the mid levels and two exquisite restaurants occupying a new 1,500m2 roof level extension.
The key to the success of the project was to work with the complexity of the listed building to create a development where each individual use was able to operate without compromise. Previous interventions carried out in the 1990s allowed us to argue for the introduction of a spectacular atrium to service the new offices. In return the original early 20th century decorative plasterwork was painstakingly repaired and showcased.
Generous floor heights allowed us to hide all the air distribution services seamlessly within an enhanced raised floor. A new spectacular office entrance was located in Argyll Street which was itself landscaped to assist in its transformation from service road to vibrant thoroughfare from Oxford Street tube station to Carnaby Village.
