Listed Building Consent granted for iconic Central London office building within the St James’s Conservation Area
We are delighted to have received Listed Building Consent from Westminster City Council for upgrades to the common parts of this Grade II listed office building on Pall Mall.
After carrying out extensive historical research and analysis, we developed designs for a sympathetic refresh with new interventions that echo the form and materiality of the original 20th century interiors. Once complete, this internal transformation will completely re-position the building for its 21st century office occupants.
It was through this sensitive design approach and the successful collaboration with heritage consultant Montague Evans and DP9 planning consultants that led to the successful granting of Listed Building Consent for this striking office block within the St James’s Conservation Area.
The building
100 Pall Mall was designed in the 1950s, with Donald McMorran’s simple and sophisticated Portland stone clad exterior featuring segmented arches in ‘stripped classicism’ style. McMorran and Whitby were prominent architects within the City of London, later going on to design the listed Wood Street Police Station and a prestigious extension to the Criminal Court at the Old Bailey. The interior features a double height barrel vaulted ceiling in the reception area, extensive stone and terrazzo wall panelling, and both polished brass and antique bronze metalwork.
The process
Our process began with firstly identifying the key original features in the building which would be retained and restored. Through historic research, we then identified which elements were not original and which could be removed as they were not enhancing the existing character of the building.
We then undertook a careful analysis to understand the building’s ‘DNA’ to fully appreciate its form and the large palette of existing historic materials used in the interior. From this analysis, we then selected a more paired back palette of materials and geometries with which to design the new interventions. This ensured that the new forms and materials would echo and harmonise with those in the existing building.
By working closely with the Conservation Officer at Westminster City Council, we ensured that the proposed designs were found to enhance the existing building fabric and would therefore be supported.
The design
Through our research, it was revealed that two side ‘transepts’ in the reception were a later enlargement, and as such had little historic value. We were then able to see this area as a blank canvas where we could apply a more contemporary design. We decided to use the arched form of the existing barrel vaulted ceiling in new brass lined seating niches, and the green tone of the existing green marble detailing for new wall panelling.
An eye-catching large moon-like pendant will hang in the central reception space, a quiet nod to Boullée’s Cenotaph for Isaac Newton – a famous unbuilt example of stripped classicism. We worked with lighting designer Dome Design to develop this striking lighting strategy for the project. Other low energy decorative lighting will feature elegant bright brass trimmed fittings that will pick up the gold leaf building signage and polished brass handrails to create a fresh hospitality-like feel to the reception.
We will now be finalising the internal details for construction and discharging the listed building consent conditions with the Conservation Officer and team… so watch this space for more news as the project develops.
