Land Securities is a British property developer. The detailed plans by London-based practices Wilkinson Eyre Architects and Horden Cherry Lee, will transform a historically and strategically important area linking the West End with the City of London.
The development will create two new buildings, a premium office building located at the north of the site, designed by Wilkinson Eyre and a private housing and 5-star hotel building to the south, complemented by shops and public space.
Colette O’Shea, head of London Development at Land Securities, says, “The mixed use scheme will transform the existing site from an uninspiring monolithic office block to a thriving new commercial and residential hub.”
The site is located adjacent to the Embankment and commands extensive views along and across the river Thames. The building, on the south site, will consist of a new residential complex incorporating a five star hotel with retail/restaurant uses at ground level. A new street Howard Place, separating the south and north sites, combined with a new public courtyard will provide a focus for the retail and hotel accommodation at ground level.
A new public arcade will provide pedestrian access from Temple Place and the Underground Station at Temple through the south entrance to the new courtyard and a route northwards towards the Aldwych and Covent Garden. A large open space is provided at ground level for access by the public as a meeting point with extensive views across the River Thames towards the National Theatre.
The new building has been designed to add a building of distinction to the crescent of varied buildings that make up the Embankment and to compliment and enhance the presence of the fine Somerset House by Sir William Chambers.
