Grosvenor gets green light for Mayfair transformation
Grosvenor’s proposals to transform the South Molton Triangle in Mayfair, W1, have been unanimously approved by Westminster City Council’s planning committee.
Committee chair Robert Rigby called the scheme an “attractive” and “crucial” development for regenerating the area.
He added: “If we get his right, I truly believe it will have a ripple affect not just along Mayfair, but along Oxford Street.”
Grosvenor’s proposals to transform the South Molton Triangle in Mayfair, W1, have been unanimously approved by Westminster City Council’s planning committee.
Committee chair Robert Rigby called the scheme an “attractive” and “crucial” development for regenerating the area.
He added: “If we get his right, I truly believe it will have a ripple affect not just along Mayfair, but along Oxford Street.”
All committee members agreed that the scheme was of high quality, despite concerns about the impact on heritage assets from the Georgian Society, Victorian Society and London and Middlesex Archaeological Society.
[caption id="attachment_1046818" align="aligncenter" width="847"] Davies Mews and South Molton Lane[/caption]
Grosvenor’s proposals for the two-acre triangle bounded by South Molton Street, Davies Street and Brook Street will increase the total floorspace at the site by 61.4% to 358,148 sq ft.
The amount of office space will be nearly doubled to 204,000 sq ft, alongside 67,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants and cafes, a 31-bedroom hotel and 33 homes, of which 22 will be for the open market and 11 affordable.
The new buildings are expected to produce 35% less carbon than ones built to current UK standards, and will be serviced by electric vehicles to reduce pollution and traffic, which Grosvenor chief executive James Raynor said during the committee meeting was one of the most important aspects of the scheme.
Raynor admitted that creating this scheme had been “quite a challenge”, as it aims to deliver office space suitable for a post-pandemic world and retail space that can support growing artisan local businesses while protecting the character and amenities including the Running Horse pub and Grays Antiques.
However, he believed the plans represented a “brave and thoughtful investment”.
“It’s a strategic proposal to invest £500m to create the type of place that can get this part of central London back on its feet.”
Grosvenor was advised by Gerald Eve on its planning application.
To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette
Image from Grosvenor