AHMM gets OK for British Land’s Oxford Street shopping centre redevelopment

AHMM’s plans to redevelop a 1970s shopping centre on Oxford Street with a taller scheme that boasts nearly twice as much office space on its upper storeys have won the backing of Westminster City Council.

The practice’s plans will see the demolition of much of the six-storey West One Shopping Centre, above the southern entrance to Bond Street underground station. The current building’s top four storeys will go altogether and its first and ground floor levels will be partly removed – along with the facades of the retained sections of the building.

AHMM’s proposals, drawn up for a joint venture between British Land and Norges Bank Investment Management, will see the structure rebuilt with nine storeys at ground level and above, and terraces at the third-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-floor levels.

The current building has 5,915sq m of retail space and 5,768sq m of office space on its top four floors. AHMM’s proposals would see retail space dip to 5,601sq m, while office space would almost double to 10,314sq m.

Nigel Webb, head of developments at British Land, said the West One proposals would bring a range of benefits.

“The redevelopment of this site will not only contribute to the delivery of high-quality, modern offices, reinvigorated retail space, and new improved access through to the West One Shopping Centre, it will be done so in a highly sustainable way, retaining 60% of the existing structure,” he said.

“Our plans wholly align with the council’s ambitions for the future of the district and the opening of the neighbouring Elizabeth Line station at Bond Street.”

AHMM is targeting a BREEAM “excellent” rating for the project.