Scheme to partially demolish and rebuild 1990s extension to grade II*-listed complex
Developer CO-RE鈥檚 plans to partially demolish and rebuild a 1990s extension to the Holborn Bars office complex near Chancery Lane have been given the go-ahead.
The 2 Waterhouse Square scheme is the first phase of a three-phase redevelopment planned by insurance company Prudential at the grade II*-listed site on the edge of the City of London.
Prudential has owned the building for more than 100 years, having commissioned Natural History Museum architect Alfred Waterhouse to design it as its flagship headquarters in the late 19th century.
It has been altered several times over its history, with the latest significant addition being a large seven-storey extension designed in 1993 by EPR Architects.
Under CO-RE鈥檚 plans, designed by Orms and approved by Camden council last week, EPR鈥檚 extension will be stripped back to its core and expanded to provide nearly 30,000 sq m of office and retail space, 627 sq m more than the existing building.
>> See also: CO-RE working up proposal for 拢80m refurb of listed Holborn Bars complex
It would also include new ground floor spaces intending to increase footfall and commercial activity in surrounding streets.
Gardiner & Theobald is on the team as cost consultant alongside structural engineer Heyne Tillett Steel, planning consultant Gerald Eve, acoustic and sustainability consultant Hoare Lea, project manager WT Partnership and transport consultant Velocity.
Camden鈥檚 planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval ahead of the council鈥檚 planning committee meeting, describing it as a 鈥渉igh quality鈥� design with a 鈥渨ell-considered composition鈥�.
The officers鈥� report added that the proposals would significantly improve the experience of the public realm around the site and would preserve the character of the listed complex.
It described EPR鈥檚 existing extension as of 鈥渘o significance鈥� in the context of Holborn Bars. The local Hatton Garden Conservation Area appraisal also criticised the block for 鈥渓acking interest鈥� and suffering from inactive frontages.
The application received no objection from Historic England, which said it 鈥渞ecognises the benefits of replacing part of the EPR extension to Waterhouse Square with a new building that appears more sympathetic to the listed building鈥檚 areas of high significance鈥�.
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