Heritage Meets Innovation: McLaren's Bold Journey Beneath and Above New Bond Street
London's West End is no stranger to architectural marvels, but McLaren Construction's latest project at the corner of New Bond Street and Grafton Street is set to raise the bar even higher. With a staggering £60 million investment, this Foster & Partners-designed development isn't just another building, it's a statement of innovation, precision and respect for the city's rich heritage.
The seven-storey, 5,400-square-metre edifice will seamlessly blend prime retail and office spaces. The lower ground, ground, and first floors are dedicated to retail, promising an influx of high-end brands and boutiques that will invigorate the local economy. Above, five storeys of sophisticated office and event spaces will cater to businesses seeking a prestigious Mayfair address.
But it's the building's façade that truly captures the imagination. A striking combination of precast concrete and brick forms the canvas for curved triple-glazed bay windows, all crowned with a sleek zinc shingle roof. This design doesn't just complement the historic Mayfair Conservation Area, it enhances it, marrying classic elegance with contemporary flair.
Beneath the surface lies a feat of engineering that showcases McLaren's commitment to pushing boundaries. The complex three-storey basement isn't merely a foundation; it's a subterranean marvel that includes a lower ground floor for retailers and two additional basement levels. Utilising a top-down construction programme, McLaren is able to advance the project efficiently while maintaining utmost safety, a critical factor in the bustling environment of Mayfair.
This method involves casting the central section of the ground floor slab first, allowing the construction of vertical cores simultaneously with the excavation of the basement levels. It's a strategic dance of precision and timing, supported by an extensive temporary works scheme. Massive 33-metre-deep, 1.2-metre-diameter piles and 15-metre steel plunge columns provide steadfast support, enabling concurrent progress above and below ground.
Navigating a tight corner site in one of London's busiest locales is no small task. McLaren's meticulous coordination with the City of Westminster has resulted in a comprehensive logistics strategy and traffic management plan designed to minimizse disruptions. A sizable temporary ramp from Grafton Street facilitates deliveries directly to the site, accommodating heavy machinery like piling rigs and crawler cranes. The just-in-time delivery system ensures efficiency and reduces the need for excessive on-site storage, a crucial consideration given the limited space.
In a nod to the area's storied past, the Grade II-listed shopfront of Wartski jewellers at 14 Grafton Street has been carefully dismantled. This historic façade will find a new home in Barlow Place during a later phase of the redevelopment, preserving a piece of London's architectural heritage for future generations.
Darren Gill, Managing Director for London & South at McLaren, encapsulates the project's essence: "There is a deep and complex basement to be constructed before this beautiful new building rises above Grafton Street. We know from considerable experience of working in the Oxford Street area that this technical feat will be pulled off in a tight site surrounded by a lot of activity. Occupiers and passersby will see a smart new addition to the West End without ever realizing how precisely planned and engineered it needs to be."
This redevelopment is more than a standalone project, it's a vital piece of a grander vision that will eventually span New Bond Street, Grafton Street and Bruton Street. The final phase promises new homes, a hotel, additional office and retail spaces, as well as vibrant bars and restaurants, all contributing to the dynamic tapestry of the West End.
McLaren's role in rejuvenating London's urban landscape is well-established. Beyond this ambitious project, they're refurbishing iconic sites like the former House of Fraser at 318 Oxford Street and the flagship Oxford Circus store at 214 Oxford Street. Past achievements include the innovative merging of four buildings at 58–60 Berners Street into a cohesive mixed-use development, and the transformation of the former Virgin/Zavvi store into a sprawling 13,100-square-metre complex.
The project's anticipated completion in Spring 2026 marks the culmination of a 105-week construction programme, powered by collaboration with key subcontractors like McGee for groundwork and concrete, BHC for the steel frame, Techrete for the precast façade, Seele for glazing, and All Metal Roofing for the final touch overhead.
As we watch this structure rise, it's exciting to consider the broader implications for London's construction industry. Projects like this not only redefine skylines but also set new standards for innovation, sustainability, and integration within historic settings.
It's fascinating to think about how these developments will shape the future of urban living and commerce in London. With the West End continually evolving, one can't help but anticipate what other groundbreaking projects are on the horizon. McLaren Construction's commitment to excellence ensures that whatever comes next will undoubtedly be worth the wait.
If you're intrigued by the transformative power of engineering and architecture, keep an eye on this space. The fusion of heritage conservation and modern innovation here might just inspire new approaches to construction projects worldwide.