Westminster City Council has granted planning approval to transform 25 Hanover Square, a 7-storey office building on a prominent corner site in London’s Mayfair, into a high-quality future-forward workplace.

Designed by architects, interior designers and workplace experts Basha-Franklin for asset and development manager Morgan Capital, the plans comprehensively refurbish the existing office through an innovative inside-out approach. Proposals include a new entrance and reception at ground level, premium workspace, and a reconfigured terrace on the 7th floor overlooking the square. Sustainable, high-performance materials will be used throughout, while the building’s original materials will be reused and re-purposed.

The plans retain much of the existing structure, while considerable changes will be made inside and out. Key moves include:

• Reworking the exterior with realigned and rearticulated facades to enhance the building’s character and appearance within the Mayfair Conservation Area while complementing more recent developments. 
• Recontextualising the building and lowering the perceived height through relocating the top floor terrace from south to north to create a more uniform overall massing and composition.
• Re-establishing the viewing corridor from Walker Street to the Grade II listed St George’s church by relocating the core to the back of the building. The new glazed feature stair maximises daylight framing views on every floor towards South London and the east.

Alex Franklin, Director of Architecture at Basha-Franklin, said: “Our design recasts this prominent 7-storey building into something more contextual, giving it purpose and relevance while bringing greater harmony to Hanover Square. This is a future-forward building in every respect – from the super flexible interior layouts to technical innovation and our choice of newly emerging materials.”

Alex Morgan, Asset & Development Manager, Morgan Capital, said: “The proposals for 25 Hanover Square will restore the building’s relationship with the square while achieving the highest possible standards for design and sustainability. Through close dialogue with WCC Planning and Design Officers, we’re delighted to have secured a considerably seamless planning consent for what will be one of the most inspiring and people-focused workplaces in central London.”

Work will commence on-site before the end of the year, with completion due in late 2024.