An Oxford Street site formerly home to BHS and the UAL College of Fashion is being proposed to be turned into a new retail and cultural hub.
The plans, submitted by Berkeley Estate Asset Management (BEAM) and Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) for 33 Cavendish Square, would see the delivery of office space, new shops and an auditorium and events area.
BHS had occupied the island site from 1961 until 2016 when it went into administration. UAL College of Fashion left following its relocation to new facilities at the Olympic Park.
The proposal would involve the retention of more than half of the existing building by floorspace and will be all-electric and net zero-aligned.
It would deliver around 75,000 square metres of Grade A office space, with the cultural hub to be around 3,500 sqm.
According to a release announcing the plans, the auditorium could be used for events from TED talks to product launches and fashion shows.
Workspace and studios will also be delivered.
It is estimated that the redevelopment and extension of 33 Cavendish Square would generate more than £550 million annually, a 70 per cent increase on the existing site.
It is also expected to contribute around 1,200 jobs for each year of construction and almost 4,500 once it is complete.
If approved by Westminster City Council, works are anticipated to start in 2029 and run until 2033.
John Bushell, Principal at KPF said: “The proposals for 33 Cavendish Square represent an important step in the rejuvenation of Oxford Street. The transformation will provide greatly improved retail space to help attract world-leading brands into the ‘nation’s high street’, and a dedicated space to promote creativity and innovation.
“At the same time, we will be retaining well over half the existing building and enabling leading sustainability credentials. This is a rare example of such a comprehensive approach to adaptive reuse. The application is the result of collaboration across the whole design team – combining detailed analysis and testing with balance, experience, and optimism for a deliverable, better future.”
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