New Crossrail stations are set to boost some of London’s forgotten villages. Here Derwent London reveals exclusive new images of its Fitzrovia flagship, 80 Charlotte Street, and head of development Richard Baldwin gives a project update
Fitzrovia is being transformed. Crossrail’s £1bn investment in Tottenham Court Road Station is acting as a catalyst for the local area and new life is being breathed into the nearby streets. What were once dowdy electrical stores and tired storefronts at the eastern end of Oxford Street, W1, are set to be rejuvenated.
It is estimated that 102,000 passengers will use the Tottenham Court Road Crossrail station each day and this anticipated footfall has driven a surge of investment in the surrounding area that will help elevate it as a new, prime destination in central London.
Already in 2015 we have started the 105,000 sq ft redevelopment of the Copyright Building on Berners Street, W1, which will complete in 2017 and, later this year, will start our largest development to date at 80 Charlotte Street. Once the home of Saatchi & Saatchi, the project will start on site later in the year and we expect to complete in 2018, before Crossrail opens.
This 380,000 sq ft project will provide offices predominantly, with residential and retail space, on a 1.4-acre island site in the heart of Fitzrovia. The development, designed by Make Architects, combines existing and new buildings which will all be centred around three lofty atria which were once underused back yards.
Following the Fitzrovia creative tradition, the design is inspired by Constructivist artists who lived in the area in the 1950s and 1960s and is created from simple materials such as Petersen brick, concrete and zinc. Street frontages will be enhanced with retail and a new public “pocket park”, modelled on New York’s Paley Park.
