Plans submitted for new retail space in London’s West End

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jul 20, 2020

Landlord Grosvenor has submitted a planning application to transform a historic but underused part of North Mayfair in a bid to help reboot the West End following the Covid-19 lockdown.

The company wants to redevelop the area known as the South Molton Triangle, which is bounded by South Molton Street and Davies Street and lies immediately opposite the new Elizabeth Line Bond Street West station.

Grosvenor said the 2-acre area encompasses a number of “narrow side streets and neglected buildings”, adding that its plans would breathe new life into the space with a design that adapts its historic character for contemporary use.

As well as a 31-bed hotel, pedestrian-friendly routes and 204,000 sq ft of new office space and new homes, the plans include 67,500 sq ft of new shops, restaurants and cafes. The project could create over 700 new jobs once complete and attract an estimated spend of £6 million per year.

Thomasin Renshaw, director of development at Grosvenor Britain & Ireland said: “Our proposals for the South Molton Triangle are a sign of our significant confidence in, and commitment to, the future of the West End and Oxford Street district. These designs put pedestrians first in a sustainable scheme that preserves what’s great about Mayfair while bringing the jobs and investment London now needs to see.”

The application comes at a time when retailers in central London suffer a significant decline in footfall due to lower tourist numbers and the temporary closure of offices.

As part of Grosvenor’s sustainability pledge, the Triangle’s new buildings would produce 35% less carbon than those built to current UK standards.