The Grade II-listed registry office closed in 1979, and was subsequently bought by Hilton Hotels as a potential extension to the St Ermine Hotel. But the plan fell through and Amberswift acquired the site in 2001. Over the years of disuse the building has deteriorated to such an extent that it was placed on English Heritage's "Buildings at Risk" register.
Now Amberswift and Stanhope have submitted a planning application to Westminster City Council to create 13 residential units behind the ornate red brick and sandstone Caxton Street frontage, with a new 55,000-sf office building--designed by Foggo Associates--to the rear. The plans also include public art and improvements to St James' Park tube station entrance.
Amberswift director Roy Sunderland said: "These proposals will ensure that this prominent site will at long last come forward with an appropriate mixed use scheme of sympathetic refurbishment and redevelopment, ending a long period of neglect".
Jones Lang LaSalle is planning consultant and Chesterton is residential development adviser. FPD Savills is letting agent for the offices.
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