55 Baker Street

The 55 Baker Street project contributes to the continuing renaissance of Baker Street as a prime West End business and retail centre. Its origins lay in Marks & Spencer's decision to relocate its headquarters from Baker Street to Paddington Basin, vacating a very large 1950s block on the west side of the street. The initial proposals for redeveloping the site involved total demolition of the existing buildings, but a planning strategy that retained some parts was subsequently developed in order to achieve a greater area of floorspace.

Make's scheme, the first major project by the practice to go on site, involves 'reconstruction' rather than demolition.

Most of the existing structural frame is substantially rebuilt and adapted, to achieve more generous floor to ceiling heights, while the exterior is reclad, with previously lifeless street frontages activated by shops. Services have been totally renewed. Dramatic atria cut into the building form naturally lit points of access to the new offices and give the reconstructed complex a new image. In order to address Westminster's mixed-use planning policy, while maximising the area of offices on the site, 23 town houses are included in the development. With the approval of Westminster and the support of the Portman Estate, the remainder of the housing element is provided elsewhere in the area. The offices in the completed scheme have set a new benchmark for this part of London.