Galliard Homes has received planning permission for a £100m residential transformation of the former European Council for Foreign Relations building in Westminster, SW1.
Twenty-two luxury apartments and rooftop gardens will be created at 29-35 Old Queen Street across 27,190 sq ft.
Squire & Partners has designed the renovation of the nine-story block, which was built in the early 1900s to house Westminster politicians and merchants. After 1945 the building was converted into offices and served as the London headquarters of the pan-European body.
Galliard Homes acquired the freehold and submitted planning for a change of use back to residential. The firm said it expected flats to be bought off-plan before completion by super-wealthy Middle Eastern, Asian and African buyers.
The cheapest flat will be marketed at £1.6m.
Galliard chief executive Stephen Conway said: “Our Squire & Partners project is the most luxurious residential development undertaken to date in Westminster and will help to raise residential values in the district to be in line with neighbouring Mayfair and Marylebone.
“Prime London residential values have overtaken commercial, and this means that the West End, Westminster and Whitehall are transforming rapidly from being dominated by offices into addresses associated with London’s most luxurious new residences and five-star hotels. This project is the latest part in this ongoing evolution and we anticipate strong sales interest.”
chris.berkin@estatesgazette.com
