30 Grosvenor Square
Public exhibition
Monday 11 April to Saturday 16 April
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 3pm to 7pm
Saturday from 11am to 2pm
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress, [LC-DIG-krb-00459]
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Refurbishment and extension of the US Embassy
This exhibition displays design proposals for the
redevelopment of the Grade II listed building located
at 30 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, purpose-built in
1960 for use as the Embassy of the United States
of America.
The departure of the US Embassy to a new site offers
a unique opportunity to redevelop the former embassy
building into a new mixed-use development to include
a hotel, retail and event spaces which will breathe
new life into this significant building and reintegrate it
into the heart of Grosvenor Square and Mayfair.
In establishing the design philosophy and the project
brief, Qatari Diar undertook a detailed feasibility
study with the assistance of architects Lifschutz
Davidson Sandilands. This six month exercise
established that the listed building was most suited
to a hotel use, which in turn aligned with Qatari Diar’s
long term investment strategy.
An international competition was then held asking
leading architects to demonstrate how the listed
building could be sensitively adapted to
accommodate this new use.
David Chipperfield Architects were able to
demonstrate a global pedigree to deal with the
sensitive design aspects that this scheme presents
and the design team has now progressed through
feasibility and concept design stages to inform the
planning submissions expected in May 2016.
About Qatari Diar
Qatari Diar is a global leader in sustainable real
estate, building landmark projects of unrivalled scope
and vision creating vibrant communities that capture
the imagination. Our vision has realised entirely
new cities and revitalised historic locations, always
creating places with a sense of identity and purpose
where people aspire to live, work and visit.
These masterplanned developments promote an
exceptional quality of life, while preserving and
reflecting local character and traditions.
Qatari Diar boasts several key current projects
including a landmark residential development at
Chelsea Barracks; Southbank Place, a mixed-use joint
venture between Qatari Diar and Canary Wharf Group
situated in a prime central London location south of
the River Thames; Grosvenor Waterside, to the north
of the River Thames; and East Village in Stratford,
East London, a joint venture with Delancey offering
more than 1400 private residential apartments for rent.
Qatari Diar projects in London (top to bottom)
Chelsea Barracks – Phase 1, Victoria Park – East
Village, Southbank Place
Proposed view from north side of Grosvenor Square looking south-west
The US Embassy
Completed in 1960, the US Embassy building on
Grosvenor Square was designed by renowned Finnish
American architect Eero Saarinen and was his first
project outside the United States of America. It
was also the first purpose-built chancery building in
London. A fine example of post-war architecture, it
is Grade II listed building and epitomises the AngloAmerican relations of that period. It is remembered by
many as the scene of major anti-Vietnam war protests
in March and October 1968.
Saarinen’s design for the embassy building draws
inspiration from classical Renaissance palazzi: the
façade appears sober and symmetrical. Its scale and
rectangular form occupy the west side of Grosvenor
Square like a palace in a park.
A plinth, formed of a stone-faced slope (glacis) with a
gilded balustrade on top, surrounds the building and
places an emphasis on the generous first floor level.
Its defensive character distances the building from
its context – further distinguishing it from the other
buildings on Grosvenor Square – and does not allow
for permeability on the ground floor.
All of the US Embassy’s public functions used to take
place at the first floor level, with both a library and
passport section overlooking Grosvenor Square, and
offices located towards the rear. On the upper levels,
cellular office spaces occupy the second to fifth
floors, and a plant level is set back on the sixth floor.
Staff facilities, parking and plant facilities occupy the
ground floor and two further basement levels.
eagle
portland stone façade
first floor with diagrid
plinth (glacis)
Elevation from Grosvenor Square
offices
plinth (glacis)
side lobby
main lobby
passport section
library
main entrance
First floor plan, 1:500
offices
corridor
cores
Typical floor plan, 1:500
View from Upper Grosvenor Street looking north, circa 1960
View from Grosvenor Square, circa 1960
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress, [LC-DIG-krb-00463]
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Balthazar Korab Archive at the Library of Congress, [LC-DIG-krb-00457]
The US Embassy
The first floor is distinguished by a diagonal
ceiling grid (‘diagrid’) of exposed concrete beams.
Supporting the loads of the levels above, it was
an innovative application for 1950s Britain and
demonstrated the technological prowess associated
with the United States at the time. The diagrid is
divided in two parts. One piece supports the U-shape
building. A second piece covers the central lobby
towards the back of the building. With no levels above
the lobby, daylight filters through the diagrid coffers
into the space below.
The elaborately detailed façade consists of
alternating precast concrete O-shaped frames faced
with Portland stone and placed to create a discreet
checkerboard effect that provides a calm backdrop
to the scenery of Grosvenor Square Gardens.
The recessed façade of the ground and first floor
comprises tall windows with gilded mullions and
transoms. From the first floor, loads are transferred
via cruciform concrete columns.
Along with the main east elevation, the north and
south elevations and the two gable ends facing
Blackburne’s Mews are in good condition. At the rear,
within the U-shape of the building, the façade is clad
in concrete and currently in disrepair.
Rear elevation (above and below)
Side entrance, 2015 (top left)
Main lobby with skylight, 2015 (top right)
Former library, 2015 (bottom right)
Detail of Portland stone façade, front elevation
Proposal
The proposed design concept is the result of a series
of investigations into the architecture and intent of
Eero Saarinen’s US Embassy, analysing the context as
well as responding to the ambitions and brief for the
project. The primary proposed use for 30 Grosvenor
Square is a luxury hotel with associated amenities.
Commercial uses will be found on first and ground
floors, hotel rooms and suites on the levels above, and
the basement levels will include a spa and a ballroom.
Existing building
with glacis
Considerate architectural interventions have been
developed to provide a building that is capable of
accommodating the proposed change of use, while
respecting the historic significance of the Saarinen
building and enhancing the inherent architectural
ideas and qualities. The proposed scheme is
organised in six components:
Public realm
and new setting
1. A new public realm and setting for the building
2. Public ground and first floors
3. An extension at the rear of the building facing
Blackburne’s Mews
4. An extended top floor as an ‘extrusion’ of the
existing typical floors
Mews extension
with atrium
5. A new penthouse level overlooking the Square
6. A basement extension
Extended 6th floor
and 7th floor pavilion
Concept sketch
7th floor pavilion
7
Extended 6th floor
6
Hotel suites, public spaces
5
Existing floors with
rear extension and new atrium
4
Hotel rooms & suites
3
2
Public ground and first floor
1
GF
Extended basement levels
Hotel public areas, hotel ‘back of house’, retail
-1
Hotel ‘back of house’, retail units
-2
Hotel ‘back of house’, ballroom, spa
-3 mezz
-3
Diagrammatic section showing the proposed massing and uses
hotel public hotel rooms hotel back of house retail spa plant parking
Hotel public areas
Parking, plant room
Vision for Grosvenor Square
Grosvenor Square Gardens was first laid out by the
Grosvenor Estate in the 1720s as an oval-shaped
garden surrounded by rectilinear streets. Although
buildings around the square have been redeveloped
and replaced over the centuries, the general layout of
the garden has survived.
The road system around the square was introduced
in the post-war period, creating triangular islands at
each corner. By 1960, the western edge of the square
on which the building sits had been turned into a oneway street. In 2006, this side of the square underwent
further changes when security measures – including
fences, bollards, raised planters and pavilions – were
installed and all traffic was prohibited.
The relocation of the US Embassy presents a unique
opportunity to re-imagine Grosvenor Square and to
create a vibrant and dramatically transformed public
realm in spaces compromised today by the security
measures required by the embassy.
While the project focuses on the building’s immediate
surroundings on the west side of the square, further
studies have explored how the proposed concepts
could include wider improvements to Grosvenor
Square in the future. Ongoing consultation with
Transport For London and The Grosvenor Estate will
continue to inform this process.
Evolution of Grosvenor Square from 17th century to 19th century
Garden Square Garden Square
Grosvenor Square, 18th century
Garden Square
Garden Square
Potential future changes to Grosvenor Square
Public realm
The project will create a new destination in the heart
of Mayfair, providing much-improved connections
to retail on Mount Street, North and South Audley
Streets and Oxford Street. A mix of active uses inside
the building where it fronts Grosvenor Square, Upper
Brook Street and Upper Grosvenor Street will enliven
these streets.
The road between the building and Grosvenor Square
will be re-opened to northbound traffic, and the
proposal envisages a much-improved design for the
footpaths and roads that border the site.
Car and taxi ‘drop-off’ locations will be provided
for the entrances facing Grosvenor Square as well
as on the north and south sides of the building. Set
back from the adjacent road, these drop-offs will be
integrated into the overall landscape design.
The proposals will also greatly improve the wider
surroundings of the listed embassy building,
opening up the surrounding streets and providing
spaces of a civic scale adjacent to Grosvenor Square
Gardens. The existing statues of former US presidents
Ronald Reagan and Dwight D. Eisenhower in the
corners of the square will be carefully integrated in
the proposed landscape design.
Corner of Grosvenor Square with statue (top and middle)
Example of a high quality public realm incorporating new and
existing trees (below)
North Audeley St
Site plan, 1:750
extent planning application consideration of wider integration
Grosvenor Square
Upper Grosvenor St
Park St
Culross St
Upper Grosvenor St
S Audeley St
Grosvenor Square
A new setting for the building
The existing glacis along the elevations facing
Grosvenor Square, Upper Brook Street and Upper
Grosvenor Street is a constituent element of
Saarinen’s overall design, giving the impression of an
elevated building rising up from a plinth.
This element limits accessibility to the ground
floor to secondary entrances on Blackburne’s
Mews only. Consequently, the current ground floor
level accommodates back-of-house uses without
a relationship to street level and the public realm
around the building. The proposed commercial
uses on the ground floor require a more open and
permeable condition that connects the building to
the street.
The removal of the glacis will allow the ground floor
to become a fully accessible public level of terraces
wrapping the building. Conceived as a continuous
stone surface, this new setting for the building
offers amenity spaces for the general public and the
commercial units on the ground floor, contributing to
a more diverse public realm.
Ground floor plan, 1:500
retail / commercial units public circulation hotel back of house hotel
The existing trees are integrated in the design to
provide a pleasant environment for the terraces. Tree
grilles will allow for sufficient supply of water and air.
Steps and ramps lead down to the existing ground
floor level and indicate the extent of the former glacis.
lower public realm
upper public realm
pavement
Section through the proposed public realm surrounding the building
former glacis tree protection zone
Proposed new setting for the building and open public realm
Existing condition with glacis and security measures
The first floor
The openness and generosity of the first floor lend it
to becoming the heart of the new hotel. Enveloped by
the diagrid ceiling and tall windows, this piano nobile
will express the identity of the hotel and become a
destination in itself.
Originally conceived as the embassy’s public level
overlooking the Square, the first floor’s original
generous appearance has been fragmented by
partitions and security measures installed over
the years.
The proposed scheme recognises and clarifies
the significance of the first floor and affirms the
building’s relationship with Grosvenor Square. The
former library and consular spaces at the front will
be principally reinstated in their historic form and
will accommodate restaurant and lounge spaces.
Further public facilities such as meeting rooms and
event spaces will occupy the corners to the north and
south, as well as the rear of the building. All these
spaces are organised around the central hotel lobby
and together create a rich public scene.
Most of the diagrid will be retained, with small
alterations at the main entrance and at the new core
locations. The central diagrid above the hotel lobby
will be replaced by the new atrium, while an extension
of the diagrid towards the rear will establish the first
floor as a continuous and coherent space.
Restaurant space on first floor overlooking Grosvenor Square
First floor plan, 1:500
lobby and circulation front of house back of house
Relationship between the first floor and Grosvenor Square
Entrances
The primary entrance to the hotel and associated
facilities will be reached from Grosvenor Square.
Access to the ground floor lobby or the hotel
reception at first floor level will be from the main
entrance on Grosvenor Square.
There will be secondary entrances leading into
lobbies on both sides of the building, though access
to these may be restricted at times for security
purposes. A further entrance will also be available
from Blackburne’s Mews but this will not be used
on a regular basis nor serve as a main entrance to
the building.
The proposal retains all existing entrances and
corresponding lobbies in their current location.
The dramatic arrival sequence at the front, facing
Grosvenor Square and leading up to the first
floor lobby, will be maintained. Changes to the
configuration of all three existing entrances are
required to allow for step-free access. All retail units
at ground floor level can be accessed directly from
the street.
New canopies will mark the entrances and provide
sheltered access on Grosvenor Square, Upper Brook
Street and Upper Grosvenor Street. Designed as freestanding lightweight additions, they draw inspiration
from some of Eero Saarinen’s designs for other
projects, such as the US Embassy in Oslo and the
IBM research centre in Rochester, USA.
Proposed main entrance with new canopy
Eero Saarinen, US Embassy, Oslo
Entrance canopy
Ground floor (top) and first floor (bottom) plans, 1:750
Entrance Level access (DDA) entrance
Typical floors and rear extension
The existing façade on the upper levels lends itself
to accommodating hotel rooms and suites; the
rhythm of the Georgian-proportioned windows will
bring a clear and consistent character to the spaces.
However, the existing shallow U-shape plan with a
central corridor limits the proportions of the hotel
rooms.
The proposed extension towards the rear of the
building introduces a new core layout and allows for a
deeper plan that could accommodate hotel rooms and
suites of adequate depth.
A new central atrium allows for a visual connection
between the lobby on the first floor and the hotel
room levels above. It also allows daylight to penetrate
deep into the building including its circulation spaces.
The new rear façade facing Blackburne’s Mews is
moved further west than the existing one, though
it remains set back from the building’s footprint
to guarantee sufficient daylight provision for the
neighbouring buildings. This new façade with a
narrow balcony zone is clearly distinguished from the
existing elevations in order to indicate that it is an
additional architectural element.
Existing typical floor, 1:750
balconies, rear extension
hotel rooms and suites
hotel rooms and suites, rear extension
circulation
atrium
relocated core
Proposed typical floor, 1:750
hotel rooms, rear extension
hotel rooms
atrium
Diagrammatic section of hotel room levels,
with rear extension and atrium
Proposed rear elevation with new façade as seen from Blackburne’s Mews
Extended top floor and penthouse
The proposed sixth floor will accommodate hotel
rooms and suites; its footprint is extended to match
the existing levels below. The façade design of this
level borrows from design studies by Eero Saarinen
showing an improved composition and improved
proportions of the elevations with a pronounced
cornice level.
The checkerboard pattern of the existing Portland
stone façade is continued by enlarged O-frames
with fixed windows alternating with recessed metal
ventilation openings sitting in between.
The new roof top pavilion establishes a calm
singular volume set back from all façades and
wrapped with a colonnade of slender metal
columns that unites the various functions held
within. Behind the colonnade the façade steps
back in sections to create covered terrace spaces
for the public hotel use in the centre and the grand
suites to the north and south.
roof top pavilion
extended 6th floor
Elevation from Grosvenor Square
covered terrace
lightweight metal colonnade
recessed façade
hotel suite
public use
7th floor pavilion, plan 1:750
hotel rooms and suites
circulation
atrium
Study by Eero Saarinen for a pronounced top floor and cornice level
View from Grosvenor Square with extended 6th floor and new 7th floor pavilion
6th floor, plan 1:750
Blackburne’s Mews
Blackburne’s Mews is occupied on the eastern side by
the embassy building and smaller residential buildings
on the western side. Once a back street connecting
Upper Grosvenor Street with Upper Brook Street,
Blackburne’s Mews and the west end of Culross
Street have been closed off by fences and gates due
to embassy security requirements. This has created
an enclosed courtyard with restricted access to the
residential buildings and the rear of the embassy.
The proposed removal of the security fences and
gates will re-open the Blackburne’s Mews and reestablish it as a link between Upper Grosvenor Street
and Upper Brook Street. The proposed landscape
design for this reintegrated area of public realm
reflects both scale and atmosphere of a London
mews, including a shared paved surface stone and
new trees carefully placed to soften the appearance
of the space.
The landscape design for Blackburne’s Mews, along
with the possibility of dedicated parking spaces for
residents, will be further developed in communication
with local residents and stakeholders.
Similar to the existing situation, servicing, staff and
parking access for the new hotel will be from the
rear of the building on Blackburne’s Mews. Careful
management will guarantee that both traffic and
associated disturbances are kept to a minimum, and
all delivery activities will be limited to spaces within
the building. Possible access restrictions for general
traffic will be further investigated in consultation
with the neighbours.
Blackburne’s Mews, 1:350
staff entrance parking entrance / exit loading entrance / exit secondary hotel entrance
Proposed view from Upper Brook Street looking into a re-opened Blackburne’s Mews
Existing view from Upper Brook Street looking into Blackburne’s Mews
with security measures and fence
Operational management
The hotel will be of the highest luxury and quality,
operated and managed to an exceptional standard.
The future operator will be responsible for the
operational management of the whole building, and
together with any specialist retailers, will implement
a robust management structure to ensure compliance
with statutory regulations and public safety.
Senior management and security staff will be on hand
at all times to deal with any issues arising from the
operation and occupation of the hotel. It is proposed
that a dedicated 24-hour contact number would be
established so that the general public, local residents
and tenants can contact the hotel management team
to discuss and register any matters of concern.
The hotel management team will also arrange
quarterly meetings with local residents and
businesses to discuss all common operational and
occupational matters, and to provide relevant updates
on the operation of all aspects of each business.
Entrance control and security
The hotel management team will ensure strict
compliance with statutory and licensing regulations
together with any relevant planning conditions
relating to the operation of the hotel. The arrival and
exit experience for guests and visitors to the event
space and ballroom – mostly from Upper Grosvenor
Street and Upper Brook Street to minimise disruption
on Blackburne’s Mews – will be closely managed
View from rooftop pavilion overlooking Grosvenor Square
Caption
to ensure minimal disturbance to hotel guests and
neighbouring residents.
All entrance doors and ground floor windows will
remain closed with the exception of the main hotel
entrances at ground and first floor levels which
will be attended at all times by hotel door staff and
porters. Staff will enter and leave the building from a
dedicated ground floor staff entrance on Blackburne’s
Mews which will be controlled by security staff.
The hotel operator will employ an experienced
security team to ensure the safety of visitors, guests
and the general public. The levels of security deployed
will reflect circumstances and events with increases
in security levels during the early evening/late
evening periods.
Servicing arrangements and car parking
A daily delivery and collection strategy will be
established to regulate and manage all vehicles
delivering goods and materials together with
those removing waste and laundry. The arrival and
departure times for all vehicles will be coordinated
and carefully managed to allow vehicles to move
efficiently and quietly in and out of the building.
Vehicles will enter Blackburne’s Mews and drive into
the secured three-bay loading area within which
they will be able to turn around. It is proposed that
servicing would take place during restricted between
approximately 7am and 6pm. This will be subject to
consultation with local residents and agreed with
Westminster City Council.
The car park entrance will be located at the rear of
the building on Blackburne’s Mews. Two car lifts will
be available at ground floor level which will transport
vehicles to the car parking area comprising 31 spaces
on the third basement level.
Sustainability
Sustainable design
The design team has developed a concept for
a building project which integrates exemplary
sustainable design principles and strategies ranging
from energy saving through to waste management
and the use of sustainable materials. Refurbishing
parts of the original structure will itself reduce the
environmental impact of the building compared to an
equivalent new build. Furthermore, improvements
to the core and upgrades to the façade will reduce
heating and cooling loads, introduce greater levels of
daylight and improve comfort levels.
Both the hotel and retail units will target a BREEAM
‘excellent’ rating. To achieve this a number of efficient
strategies and intelligent systems are proposed,
such as:
—— selecting materials based on their low
environmental impact
—— conserving potable water consumption through
low-flow fittings and grey water systems
—— improvements to the ecological value of the site
by creating a green roof
—— limiting night time light and noise pollution
through automatic switching and careful selection
of plant and building materials
—— reducing the reliance on mechanical systems to
heat and cool the internal spaces
—— specifying heating systems that include heat
recovery to minimise local air pollution
—— saving energy with photovoltaic cells on the roof
for solar energy
—— providing cycle storage for hotel and retail staff
and visitors to the site
Façade detail, u-values indicated in italics
60.330 m
Plant screen, lift overrun (recessed)
57.780 m
New roof top pavilion
Light weight metal columns
Sliding windows, double glazing 1 W/m2K (glass),4 W/m2K (window frame)
53.150 m
Extended 6th floor
New O-frame, Portland stone 0.15 W/m2K
Fixed double glazing 1 W/m2K (glass), 3 W/m2K (window frame)
Ventilation panel, metal
Façade refurbishment typical floors
Façade
The building will retain a large proportion of the
existing façade, helping to reduce the embodied
carbon of the development. The existing Grade
II listed façades pose a particular challenge for
achieving current standards of energy performance
and local climate change mitigation targets. The
following strategies ensure the right design and
performance improvements of both the existing
listed façades as well as any new façades:
Refurbished O-frame, Portland stone
New internal insulation 0.15 W/m2K
—— upgrading the existing fenestration with highperformance double glazing where possible
Façade upgrade ground and first floors
Refurbished Portland stone profile
Retained aluminium mullion
Upgraded fenestration, double glazing 1 W/m2K (glass), 3.3 W/m2K (window frame)
Retained diagrid
—— introducing internal insulation, avoiding and
reducing cold bridging
—— designing the new façades to modern
performance standards
New double glazing 1 W/m2K (glass), 3 W/m2K (window frame)
Retained cruciform column, Portland stone
Retained aluminium mullion
New double glazing 1 W/m2K (glass), 3 W/m2K (window frame)
25.560 m
Before and after views
Qatari Diar have undertaken a broad and thorough
process of consultation with Westminster City
Council, Historic England, Grosvenor Estate and
with local residents and community groups in order
to bring forward a design proposal that will enhance
views from many points around Grosvenor Square and
beyond, as demonstrated with the following selection:
1. View from north side of Grosvenor Square
looking west
1
2. View from centre of Grosvenor Square
looking west
3. View from corner of Grosvenor Street and
South Audley Street looking north-west
4. View from South Audley Street
looking north
2
5. View from Park Street looking east
6. View from corner of Grosvenor Street and
North Audley Street looking south-west
3
4
Map showing a selection of the views considered
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During construction
Managing construction
Bird’s eye view of Grosvenor Square with the existing embassy building
— Planning optimal locations for hoardings and scaffolding
Shepherd’s Place
Blackburne’s Mews
secondary site
entrance & exit
site hoarding
retained
structure
pedestrian
crossing
construction access
from Grosvenor Square
compound
North Audley Street
South Audley Street
main site
exit
— The control of noise, dust and vibration
façade retention
steelwork
Upper Brook Street
Construction traffic routes will be planned to
minimise congestion and disruption. It is anticipated
that access to the site will be from Park Lane, via
Upper Brook Street with the exit route to Park Lane
via Upper Grosvenor Street. The anticipated main
access to the site will be towards Grosvenor Square.
A secondary access will be needed to and from
Blackburne’s Mews for elements that cannot be
accessed from Grosvenor Square, though efforts will
be made to keep this to a minimum.
temporary closures for
key site operations/
elements of work
— Access for pedestrians as they move around
the site
— Minimisation of disruption to local residents
on Blackburne’s Mews
incoming construction
traffic from Park Lane
Culross Street
On commencement of construction works, protective
hoarding will be erected around the perimeter of
the site and the site will be registered with the
Considerate Constructors Scheme. The streets
immediately surrounding the site will be inspected
regularly by the appointed contractor to ensure they
are maintained in accordance with the local authority
and highways requirements.
outgoing construction
traffic to Park Lane
Upper Grosvenor
Street
The construction works on 30 Grosvenor Square are
anticipated to commence in Q2 2017 and the period
of construction will be approximately 3½ years.
The plan for site logistics will be developed in detail
prior to construction, with the following principles
anticipated:
The appointed contractor will give due consideration
to the following matters:
site accommodation and
materials storage
main site
entrance
Proposed site access / egress route from Park Lane
Keeping the community informed
A Community Liaison Framework will be put in place
to engage local residents and stakeholders for the
duration of the project. This will include:
—— Newsletters from the principal contractor to keep
local residents and stakeholders informed of
planned works
—— A community section on the Qatari Diar website
www.30grosvenorsquare.com
—— A community liaison officer in order to facilitate
efficient communication
The site will be registered with the
Considerate Constructors scheme
Team
Qatari Diar has employed a team of professional
consultants to work on the 30 Grosvenor Square
project. These include:
Westminster City Council and recently completed
public realm schemes in Mayfair including award
winning Brown Hart Gardens, Mount Street and
Carlos Place.
David Chipperfield Architects
Other team members include:
AKT II - structure and façade consultant
APCO - public relations advisor
Publica, public realm consultants
David Chipperfield Architects was founded in
1985. The practice works from offices in London,
Berlin, Milan and Shanghai on cultural, commercial
and residential projects including architecture,
masterplanning, interiors, and product and furniture
design in both public and private sectors. Their
diverse international portfolio includes significant
museums and galleries, libraries, hotels, apartment
and office buildings as well as private homes.
David Chipperfield Architects has won more than
fifty national and international design competitions,
and received many international awards and citations
for design excellence, including RIBA, RFAC, BDA,
and AIA awards, as well as the RIBA Stirling Prize in
2007, and the European Union Prize for Contemporary
Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award in 2011, as
well as the 2011 Deutscher Architekturpreis.
Buro Four - project management
Publica specialise in strategies and design for public
space, urban design and masterplanning. They
provide comprehensive advice to major landowners,
developers, local authorities, architects, and
community organisations. Publica work across all
scales from single streets and spaces to masterplans
and area strategies. They believe that the quality
of the public realm is defined not only by spatial
and physical characteristics, but also by social and
cultural conditions.
David Bonnett Associates - access consultant
Four Communication - public affairs consultant
Gerald Eve - planning consultant
G&T - quantity surveyor
Hilson Moran - services engineer
ReardonSmith Architects, hotel specialists
SDG Transport - transport consultant
Turley - heritage consultant
BDP is a multi-discipline practice of designers with
a strong design ethos that combines creativity,
innovation and a proven track record of delivering
high quality public realm schemes. BDP has
developed the Public Realm Handbook for Mayfair
and Belgravia for Grosvenor in collaboration with
The sole focus of ReardonSmith Architects is the
international hotel and resort industry in all its
manifestations. Since its inception in 1988, the
practice has built up a significant global reputation
and received many awards for design excellence.
Projects range from major urban renovations to newbuild hotels and international resort developments. In
addition to the main office in London accommodating
65 architects, the practice establishes site offices
as required to oversee projects around the world.
Projects in London include The Intercontinental,
Grosvenor House and The Four Seasons as well as the
Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair.
David Chipperfield Architects
Neues Museum, Berlin
David Chipperfield Architects
Neues Museum, Berlin
BDP
Mount Street and Carlos Place, London
David Chipperfield Architects
One Kensington Gardens, London
Reardon Smith Architects
The Beaumont Hotel, London
BDP, landscape architects
Twin and Earth - sustainability consultant
Benefits
Next steps
The careful architectural adaptation of the building for
a new use will bring with it a number of improvements
and important benefits, both for the site itself as well
as the environment of the wider area, such as:
Thank you for visiting our exhibition. We hope you
found it useful and informative.
—— adapting a listed building for re-use to ensure its
future
If you have any questions, please ask one of our
team members.
We would be grateful if you would fill in a feedback
form to let us know what you think about our plans.
—— a hotel building of world-class, sustainable design
—— removing the physical barrier of the glacis to
provide substantially greater public access and
integrate the building with the Square
—— improving sense of place by transforming and
activating the new public realm, enhancing this
part of the Mayfair Conservation Area
—— creating employment and generating visitor
expenditure
A planning application will be submitted to
Westminster City Council following the conclusion
of the public consultation and the pre-application
process.
After the exhibition we will produce a full report on
all the comments you have made about the project.
This report will be incorporated into the future
planning application.
There will shortly be an electronic copy of these
exhibition boards available for you to download from
our website www.30grosvenorsquare.com.
An electronic version of the feedback form can be
submitted online, or using the freepost addressed
envelopes provided here.
Proposed view from Grosvenor Square looking south-west