London & Oriental Unveils New Buckingham Green Development In Victoria
London & Oriental unveiled Buckingham Green, its new 240k SF mixed-use scheme at the former headquarters of the Labour Party and Rolls-Royce in Westminster, London, SW1. The new development is targeting smaller office occupiers whilst the residential will be high-end private rented sector apartments.
Buckingham Green is set to be completed by Q2 2018 and aims to create a ‘village centre’ in contrast to the surrounding developments, taking inspiration from Chelsea and Marylebone.
Buckingham Green will comprise a total of 55k SF Grade A office accommodation, 11k SF of high-quality retail and 65 private rented apartments across three buildings in 0.25 acres of public realm centred on a new pedestrian-friendly square. Designed by Fletcher Priest Architects, the scheme utilises the core of the site’s existing tower to form No. 1 and No. 2 Buckingham Green with two new buildings — No. 3 Buckingham Green and The Gate House — providing additional space that is sympathetic to the site’s historic setting.
The reimagined 16-storey tower will comprise both residential and office space with separate entrances provided for residents and office occupiers. No. 1 Buckingham Green will contain the collection of luxury one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom rental apartments from floors five to 15. Each home will have a unique layout and designed interior, with residents benefitting from 24-hour security and concierge services and the convenience of basement car parking for up to 37 vehicles.
No. 2 Buckingham Green will contain 25k SF of flexible office space on the lower four floors of the tower, which is accessed through a Carrara marble lobby. Buckingham Green will deliver office floor plates of between 2k and 6k SF across its three buildings to meet occupier demand for smaller suites, something lacking in the traditional St. James’s office market and particularly in Victoria.
No. 3 Buckingham Green on the north side of the site will be newly constructed in a lattice work of handmade red brick with large full-height windows to reflect the Victorian buildings in the neighbourhood. It will contain 28,183 SF of office space over five floors accessed through a vaulted reception area, along with a large private roof garden and a series of terraces for the exclusive use of occupiers.
The retail offer at Buckingham Green will echo nearby Elizabeth Street with ambitions to secure boutique retailers and restaurants for the scheme’s seven ground-floor units. This will complement Victoria’s restaurant and retail transformation, which has made the area into a viable shopping destination and made the location more attractive to occupiers and residents alike.
JLL and Savills have been appointed as office agents; JLL is advising on the residential; Tuckerman and Savills are appointed to let the retail units.
