Hines’ plans for what it calls a “world-class, highly sustainable and vibrant” development in London’s Soho have been recommended for approval next week.
Westminster City Council’s planning committee has been recommended to grant conditional planning permission for the scheme at 2-4 Dean Street and 7 Soho Square, W1, at a meeting on 17 October. The permission will be subject to referral to the mayor.
The project would see the existing building demolished, with the Tesco Express-anchored office block replaced with a new development comprising 78,000 sq ft of offices across seven upper floors, as well as shops and a reimagined “Soho Bazaar” public space.
The council’s recommendation hinges on obligations that include making the Bazaar available for use by local groups at a peppercorn rate for a minimum of 20 four-hour sessions per year and the provision of concession stands made available at a peppercorn rate for independent Soho businesses up to 50 times per year.
The planning statement for the scheme noted that local residents were keen for Tesco to remain at the site. However, the supermarket group has taken a lease at the nearby 264-267 Tottenham Court Road. The Soho Society has objected to the scheme because of the loss of the supermarket.
Hines’ pan-European core fund acquired the site from Landsec for £78m in 2020.
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