Westminster councillors approve taller version of 2019 scheme for conservation-area site
Westminster City Council has approved Foster & Partners’ reworked proposals to redevelop a 0.25ha site in Mayfair with a mixed-use scheme featuring new homes, a hotel, office and retail space, and bars and restaurants.
Fosters first secured consent to replace the buildings currently the site, which is bounded by Grafton Street, New Bond Street and Bruton Lane, in 2019. However the planned operator for the hotel element of that scheme – LMVH’s Cheval Blanc – pulled out of the project during the pandemic.
On Tuesday, members of Westminster City Council’s planning committee voted to approve a revised version of the scheme, designed to be built out in two phases for O&H Grafton Developments.
A report to planning committee members said the 2022 incarnation of the scheme was “largely similar” to the consented version. However the single main building fronting Grafton Street that was originally proposed for hotel use is replaced by two separate buildings, only one of which woud be a hotel.
Nevertheless, the latest proposals include 94 hotel rooms – one more than the consented scheme. The 2022 version is also 12 storeys tall at its highest, while the 2019 scheme was 11 storeys. (See gallery below)
Among the buildings to be demolished for the redevelopment are a 1970s office building designed by Seifert & Partners. It contains a grade II-listed shopfront, at the former branch of jewellers Wartski. The shopfront will be dissembled and incorporated into the new development under the proposals.
Recommending the revised scheme for approval, Westminster planning officers said the detailed design of the new buildings “harmonises” with the historic character and appearance of development in the Mayfair Conservation Area, where it is situated.
“The use of brick for the Grafton Street facade and the chosen brick colour, combined with the height and detailed design of the new facade, enhance the setting of the nearby listed buildings by recreating a sense of the 18th century architectural rhythm of the street that was lost in the 1960s,” they said.
“The roof form is an attractive feature including a focus for the view north along Albemarle Street. There are also major architectural improvements in Barlow Place and Bruton Lane.”
Officers acknowledged that the tallest element of the scheme would be higher than the Seifert building.
But they said Fosters’ proposals were “better designed” and integrated into their surroundings.
“Key views of the site from surrounding streets have been provided, and in all these views the development will be an improvement in comparison to the existing buildings as a result of the improved facade designs and more appropriate palette of materials,” officers said.
“The development as a whole will therefore enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and the setting of surrounding listed buildings.”
They added that the latest incarnation of the scheme excluded a porte cochere on Grafton Street that was part of the approved scheme, in a move “considered to be an improvement”.
Officers said a new hotel operator had yet to become involved in the proposals.
Westminster’s approval of the scheme will now be referred to mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
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