RED Construction to deliver mixed-use scheme in London's West End

The retail and office scheme will transform 32,500 sq ft of established office and retail area into a bold new development in the centre of the capital. Working in collaboration with Hines and Orms architects practice, RED will carry out the extensive refurbishment, which includes the demolition and removal of existing floors of the building between 80 New Bond Street and 325 Oxford Street.

This flagship project will be the sixth in collaboration with Hines and is slated for be complete in spring of 2023. The extensive refurbishment will include the reconstruction of the building's upper floors and a full Category A fit out. Two retail units will be constructed on the ground and first floors. The office entrance will be repositioned at the Derning Street entrance creating a spacious, dedicated reception area.

BREEAM Outstanding

The 37,414 sq ft asset was acquired by the Hines European Value Fund 2 (HEVF 2) in February last year. With planning consent now in place, the scheme is targeting BREEAM Outstanding rating in addition to WELL Platinum Ready and Wired & Smart Score Platinum.

The structural alterations will involve a renovated overhaul of the internal steelwork. The refurbishment will be based around an innovative pre-cast concrete lift core with glass-reinforced concrete façade panels. Pre-cast feature columns will then be inserted between the ground and first floor. Floorplates will range from 3,000 to 6,500 sq ft and building occupants will enjoy the use of a large communal roof terrace measuring 1,100 sq ft.

Refurb vs redevelopment

Award-winning architects Orms estimates that refurbishing the site instead of redeveloping will c800kgs of CO2 per m2. In addition, the project will make a commitment to offset the next 30 years worth of operational carbon.

Other environmental features include the use of low carbon materials to reduce the embodied carbon in the structure and using refurbished materials where possible, for example, floor tiles. Carbon modelling software will be used to establish the best fabric build-ups to further reduce embodied carbon.

Landmark project

The project will be overseen by David Osborne who has worked extensively with Hines. Now Operations Director at RED Construction, he called the refurbishment a 'landmark project', taking place in one of the world's most iconic destinations. With the advent of the Bond Street Crossrail station, he added, the site was about to become even more accessible. Osborne said he was keen to deliver on the project by drawing on previous expertise and relationships.

Graham Sturge, Managing Director of RED Construction, called the 80 New Bond Street scheme a 'momentous project win' for the team at RED. He acknowledged that the project would call on RED's capabilities and technical specialities including the innovative pre-cast features and strong focus on sustainability.

RED has enjoyed several wins recently including the visitor pavilion at Brent Cross Town and a flexible stay hotel development in a prestigious South Kensington location. Most recently Hong Kong based ITC Properties has appointed RED to deliver the £17m redevelopment of Townsend House in London's Victoria. Another mixed-use development of commercial and residential space, it's due for completion in summer 2022.