A well-known Oxford Street landmark that once housed the London College of Fashion and British Home Stores is poised for a dramatic architectural transformation inspired by medieval cathedral design. The building, officially known as 33 Cavendish Square, could soon feature modern interpretations of Gothic vaulted ceilings throughout its office and retail spaces.
The original complex was completed in 1958 under plot-ratio regulations introduced in 1947, which encouraged taller structures positioned behind lower street-facing buildings. This resulted in the classic mid-century design featuring a podium base with a tower rising above it. Shortly after completion, developers added the southern block, known as the South Bar, which housed the London College of Fashion as part of the London County Council's initiative to promote mixed-use development on the site.
As part of the original development agreement, the college occupied its portion of the building for nominal rent. However, after becoming part of the University of the Arts London, the institution relocated to Stratford in 2023. For decades, British Home Stores operated its flagship store on the ground floor until the retail chain's collapse in 2016. Since then, the retail spaces have been occupied by various unremarkable tenants, while the office floors above have become outdated, partially vacant, and in desperate need of renovation.
The current property owner has proposed an ambitious redevelopment plan that involves retaining and refurbishing the existing tower while demolishing most of the podium structure, including the former college building. The college block was originally constructed using lightweight materials to allow it to sit atop the podium, but these materials have not aged well over time. The current retail floor is also dominated by numerous support columns needed to bear the weight of the structure above, though modern construction techniques and stronger materials eliminate the need for so many supports.
The developer's plan calls for demolishing the retail podium and refurbishing the tower, which they estimate will preserve approximately half of the existing building materials. The medieval inspiration becomes apparent in the proposed design for the replacement office and retail floors, which will incorporate a modern funicular floor structure. This contemporary approach essentially reinterprets the fan-vaulted ceilings found in Gothic cathedrals, significantly reducing the amount of concrete required while creating visually striking exposed vaulted undersides.
This innovative design means office workers will find themselves working beneath modern cathedral-style vaults, creating a subtle echo of the scribes and monks who once labored under authentic medieval cathedral ceilings. While these vaulted ceilings will primarily be interior features, depending on how the office spaces are configured and used, they may also be visible from the street, offering a far more aesthetically pleasing view than conventional dropped office ceilings.
Another potentially exciting aspect of the redevelopment involves possible public access to the 17th through 19th floors as part of a cultural amenity. This would likely include food and beverage services, providing paying customers with spectacular views of London. However, whether the general public will have free access to these upper floors remains to be determined during the planning approval process.
Westminster Council is scheduled to review and discuss these development plans during its planning committee meeting on December 9th. Interestingly, while most people familiar with the area consider this an Oxford Street-facing building, its official address is actually 33 Cavendish Square. One concerning detail from the planning application documents suggests the developers might brand the renovated building as "33 Cav Square," which would represent the kind of artificial youth-oriented marketing approach that feels painfully out of touch – essentially translating the "how do you do, fellow kids" meme into steel and stone architecture.
