Prudential plans revamp of historic Holborn block

Prudential has launched a refurbishment of an office block in London’s Holborn that it says will kick-start a “masterplan” to repurpose the Waterhouse Square estate. The insurance company has lodged a planning application with Camden Council for the vacant 2 Waterhouse Square at 138-142 Holborn, EC1, with plans for an internal refurbishment as well as partial demolition and extension, including a new café. Co-Re is development manager for the scheme. “The proposed development seeks to sensitively refurbish and extend the existing building,” said planning documents from Orms Designers and Architects. “The proposals seek to enhance the existing building, reinstate the historic courtyard and repair the historic fabric of the site.” The estate comprises 1, 2 and 3 Waterhouse Square. The refurbishment scheme would also upgrade all three buildings to be all-electric and reduce their energy consumption. [caption id="attachment_1197170" align="aligncenter" width="847"] The proposed new Greville Street entrance[/caption] Prudential describes itself as “long-term custodians” of Waterhouse Square, having occupied the site for more than a century. The company now has “an ambition to develop a phased masterplan for the whole site”, its planning statements said, “reimagining and repurposing for its long-term future”. To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@eg.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @EGPropertyNews View other planning applications in Holborn >> Images: Main photo © Andy Lauwers/Shutterstock Greville Street image © Orms Designers and Architects