This landmark mixed use scheme has transformed a once-forgotten area, just south of Piccadilly Circus, into a distinctive destination. St James’s Market includes two buildings – one Grade II-listed, one contemporary – with over 200,000ft² of high-quality workspace, five flagship stores and seven new restaurants, all set within over half an acre of revitalised public space.
Our design respects and celebrates the site’s unique history, and we collaborated closely with Historic England, the St James’s Conservation Trust, the Westminster Society and Westminster City Council to ensure we preserved its character and quality. The two Grade II-listed facades on Regent Street underwent extensive repairs, and the interior and rear were sensitively reconstructed. At ground level, 7.5 metre-high bronze shopfronts house premium brands such as Smeg and Aspinal of London.
A new public square is at the heart of the development and features works by London artists such as an ‘art pavilion’, timber benches, and a ceramic ‘art wall’, which celebrate the area’s heritage. Four back streets on the site’s eastern fringe have been pedestrianised to help re-establish and reconnect the site within its urban context.
The scheme underpins a decade-long investment programme by The Crown Estate to revitalise this historic area. In 2018 it received an RIBA London Award and was highly commended at the BCO London Awards.
1 St James's Market
The fin on 1 St James’s Market, with its glass-encapsulated bronze mesh and fretwork inspired by ornate stonework on the original building, demarcates the main entrance and new-build portion.
St James’s Market is the most exciting scheme that we have ever undertaken in the West End.
Contrasting forms
The more organic form of 2 St James's Market acts as a strong contrast to the rectilinear expression of 1 St James’s Market, yet the facade materials and detailing clearly connect the two.
1 St James's Market reception
The atrium rises through all seven floors to the rooflight and features a suspended Corian staircase with bespoke lighting.
We commissioned British artist David Thorpe to create laser-cut leather 'art walls' for the reception, lift lobby and a portion of the St James's Market elevation of 1 St James's Market.
2 St James's Market reception
London Plane timber from the Crown-owned Windsor Forest forms the reception walls, desk and seating area.
1 St James's Market roof
The remodelling of the roof involved skilled work on elements including the dormer leadwork, timber window mouldings and lead cartouches.
RIBA London Award winner 2018
"It was felt that not only had the two buildings been designed and executed thoughtfully and well, but also that the juxtaposition of the two, together with the new square created, formed a welcome addition, a destination point."
The high-end retail along the newly renamed Regent Street St James's features 7.5m bronze shopfronts.
The building’s upper levels benefit from roof terraces with uninterrupted views across the city.
