Stanhope - Mixed-Use Development - Caxton Hall
Date: 11 Feb 2003
A new proposal for a mixed office and residential development could herald a long overdue revival in the fortunes of Caxton Hall, the former Westminster registry office still famous for a string of celebrity weddings.
Closed in 1979, the Grade II listed building, in the Broadway and Christchurch Gardens Conservation area, has since remained empty. It has deteriorated to such an extent that it has been placed on English Heritage's "Buildings at Risk" register and was the subject of a Dangerous Structure Notice in 1996.
Amberswift Ltd, a joint venture run by Roy Sunderland's DeLand Assets and Neil R Barnes' Regent Square Estates Group acquired the freehold of the site from the Hilton Group in 2001 and, in conjunction with Stanhope plc, has submitted a planning application to Westminster to include both the restoration of the ornate red brick and sandstone Caxton Street frontage to create 13 residential units and the redevelopment of the rear of the site to provide a high-quality, freestanding office building.
The architect, Foggo Associates, has designed an innovative solution for the site. The plan allows for the separation of the two land uses, preserving the Caxton Street address for the residential element and creating a new address for the offices around a new open space off Palmer Street. Rather than developing it hard to its boundaries, a circular 9-storey 55,000sq.ft office building, which sits comfortably with the adjoining properties is proposed. Also included are public art and improvements to St James' Park tube station entrance.
There have been several other proposals for the Caxton Hall site over the last ten years or so. However, none of them have actually come off the drawing board. Among them was consent for offices in 1991. Most recently, in November 1999, permission was granted to refurbish the front part for use as a registry office and to redevelop the rear as a 92-bedroom extension to the St Ermins Hotel. In the event, it was decided that Caxton Hall was no longer required for public use and the hotel decided against expansion.
Roy Sunderland of Amberswift commented:
"These proposals will ensure that this prominent site will at long last come forward with an appropriate mixed use scheme of sympathetic refurbishment and redevelopment, ending a long period of neglect and detriment to the local environment. We plan to develop modern, people-friendly offices and residential units using the best design practice".
Jones Lang LaSalle is acting as planning consultant, while residential development adviser is Chesterton. Letting agent for the offices is FPD Savills.
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