Make is working closely with The Crown Estate on the second phase of St James’s Market, a decade-long regeneration project to revitalise the historic St James’s area south of Piccadilly Circus. In 2016 Make delivered phase one, which comprises two buildings – one Grade II-listed, one contemporary – and a new public square.
The second phase will create one urban block composed of six existing buildings bordered by Haymarket, Charles II Street, St Alban’s Street and Norris Street. The cojoining structures vary in height from 5 to 8 storeys, and include the Grade II-listed Empire Cinema on Haymarket. This building will be retained in totality, with its Portland stone facade and slate roof fully rebuilt and topped by two new stories of traditional mansard.
The new-build elements include a dignified woven Portland stone facade along Haymarket and curving metal lattice at the north-west corner of the block, where the building has been pulled back to provide space for public realm and views through the square between Haymarket and Regent Street St James’s. The ground floor will host cultural, wellbeing and leisure-based amenities. New and enhanced public realm within the scheme will be fully pedestrianised.
The building is designed with a high level of future adaptability, from single, flexible floorplates to strict sustainability KPIs to meet a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’.
Phase 2 gives us the opportunity to deliver the next generation of flexible space, achieving a new standard for sustainable placemaking and delivering positive impact for the local area and local people.
