From outside the hoardings of the Outernet London construction site, at the heart of the West End, it is impossible to appreciate either the scheme’s full extent or the complexity of the groundworks that underpin it. The site has returned to life after falling suddenly silent at the end of March, and is running at nearly 80% capacity now that contractor Skanska has got to grips with the challenges of socially distanced working. Completion is still scheduled for this year, albeit later than the original date of the end of June.

The mixed-use scheme, being developed by owner Consolidated Developments, will deliver a range of facilities, crowned by a multimedia gallery and entertainment venue that is said to be the latest in fully immersive destination venues. But this gold and black building with its striking louvred facade, set in the site’s north-west corner, is the tip of the iceberg of this scheme, which relies heavily on complex foundation works.

Outernet is part of a wider, £150m scheme known as the St Giles Circus project, covering some 25,000m2 of development in a block bounded by Denmark Street, Charing Cross Road and St Giles High Street.

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