Bridgemont has lodged plans with Westminster City Council for the retrofit of 1 Embankment Place, the office building above Charing Cross Station in central London.
The redevelopment of 1 Embankment Place would transform the offices above Charing Cross station.
The redevelopment of would create 377,000 sq ft of grade-A, sustainable workspace to meet the needs of modern occupiers, Bridgemont said.
The building is the London headquarters of PwC, but the ‘big four’ accounting firm has agreed a pre-let on 350,000 sq ft of office space at the One Eden development in Canary Wharf in east London, which it plans to move into in 2023.
The retrofit would also upgrade Villiers Street and the surrounding public realm into a new gateway between the West End and the South Bank, and include a ground-floor retail and leisure offer.
CGI of the proposed new workspace
The project proposes a retrofit-led approach preserving around 90% of the existing structure and façade, while addressing long-standing issues with the building.
Bridgemont is targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, NABERS 5 star, and EPC ‘A’ ratings for the finished building, which would be all-electric, bringing a 70% reduction in operational energy use.
The building was designed by Sir Terry Farrell in 1991 and his son, Max Farrell, is helping lead the retrofit to ensure the original design is respected.
Bridgemont principal Mark Wenlock said: “This submission reflects what people told us mattered most throughout consultation: a more inviting Villiers Street, better pedestrian connectivity and a higher-quality ground-floor experience.
“The proposals set out 1 Embankment Place as one of Westminster’s most significant retrofit opportunities, transforming a critical gateway site into a high-quality commercial, retail and cultural destination that better connects the West End with the South Bank. We are excited to move into the next phase to unlock the full potential of this remarkable site.”
Mike Taylor, principal at Hopkins Architects, which drew up the plans, said: “Submitting this application is a significant step in delivering the transformational improvements needed to secure its future for generations to come. It’s a historically rich and particularly complicated piece of London that’s undergone great change over the centuries.”
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