Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group and Sirosa have secured planning permission for a major revamp of the Plaza shopping centre on Oxford Street and the retailer’s headquarters, W1.
Westminster city council last night approved the Coleman Architects-designed plans, which comprise increasing the Colegrave House, 70 Berners Street office, by 18,514 sq ft to 193,481 sq ft, and enlarging the reception.
The shopping centre would also undergo a makeover, with the creation of a new 73,500 sq ft flagship retail store,
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Ahead of a planning committee meeting, planners recommended the Colegrave House scheme should be rejected on two counts, including the belief that the proposals fail to mitigate the impact of development on the city’s public realm.
However, at the meeting, deputy leader of the council Robert Davies made reference to the fact that the approval would ensure a major employer is retained in the borough.
Davies added: “This decision will improve and revamp this important retail development so it can continue to be a success for the long term. This will form part of the regeneration of the east end of Oxford Street, which will see major improvements in both retail and commercial developments to coincide with the completion of the Crossrail project in the next few years.”
Arcadia, which owns companies including Topshop, is still in negotiations to commit to a new long-term lease with Sirosa, but a deal is expected to be agreed imminently, ending a search for a new 100,000 sq ft office, which CBRE was advising on.
DP9 and Savills advised on planning.
joanna.bourke@estatesgazette.com
