40 Long Acre

Refurbishment and rooftop extension above grade II listed Covent Garden






Located on a prominent corner site within the historic Covent Garden Conservation Area, the 1907 underground station is one of Leslie Green’s iconic designs, clad with oxblood tiles. In 1967, three commercial storeys were completed above, with renovation works in 1986. Currently, these commercial spaces are in a poor state of repair, do not meet current accessibility standards, and offer little to the architectural quality of the Conservation Area.

We have proposed façade upgrades, internal renovations and a one-storey extension to the existing building. The works also encompass renovation to the listed station to enhance the heritage value, including replacing the white PVC windows to match the station’s original dark timber frames, as indicated in historic photos.

The building shares the local characteristics of strong base with 3 storeys above topped by strong cornice. In response to the local character, the new roof extension will be set back and the façade will be rationalised in response to the vertical and horizontal rhythms of the streetscape. The brickwork will be extended upwards and topped with a cornice to match surrounding proportions and to provide guarding for a new terrace. Neutral, elegantly proportioned windowpanes and the new ceramic-clad extension echo the station’s materiality and colour palette but with simpler articulation that reinforces a visual hierarchy.

Internally, the spaces will be renovated, and layouts improved. The staircase, lift, and street-level entrance will be upgraded to create a fully accessible building with improved fire safety. The scheme aims to positively contribute to the conservation setting, delivering high-quality commercial provisions for the sought-after area. As built, the scheme should achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’.

Further information

Data

Location
London
Project type
Workplace and learning, Heritage and adaptation
Status
Planning Consented
Floor area
1480m2

Credits

Client
Transport for London
Gort Scott Team
Fiona Scott
Collaborators
Portico (Heritage Consultant), Elliot Wood (Structural Engineer), OR Consulting Engineers (Services Engineer), Arcadis (Cost Consultant), DP9 (Planning Consultant), GIA (Daylight and Sunlight), Approved Design (Approved Inspector), The Fire Surgery (Fire Consultant)

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