Green light for Derwent and Crossrail's West End theatre

Crossrail and developer Derwent London have won planning for a 275,000 sq ft mixed-use scheme above Tottenham Court Road Tube and Crossrail stations.

Westminster City Council last night approved the 1 Oxford St ‘over-site’ project, designed by AHMM Architects and including the first new theatre in London’s West End in more than 30 years.

The scheme, on the site of the old Astoria - which closed in 2009 following the site’s compulsory purchase under Crossrail - involves two major nine-storey buildings overlooking a new public square linking Charing Cross Road to Soho Square.

The larger building, on the corner of Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road, will incorporate the station entrance, along with 37,000 sq ft of retail space and 177,000 sq ft of offices.

To the south, the smaller building will be a self contained 34,000 sq ft, 350-seat theatre with 27,000 sq ft of offices above.

Speaking after Westminster’s planning committee meeting last night, councillor and deputy leader Robert Davis said: “For years London’s theatreland has been one of the city’s top attractions for visitors from around the world, and I am delighted that we will soon be welcoming a brand new addition to our repertoire of West End theatres.

“This flagship scheme marks an significant investment in the city and will play an important role in the regeneration of east Oxford Street.”