| Crown Jewel
This
scheme was designed in a limited competition for a mixed use scheme
of 52,000 m2 to replace the existing Metropole building for the
Crown Estate. The existing Metropole Hotel, at the junction of Whitehall
Place and Northumberland Avenue is located within a conservation
area and attached though neighboring properties to a listed building
on Whitehall. The office accommodation is arranged in three 18 m
deep floor plates with 7.5 m deep atria. This arrangement creates
a series of bays to Northumberland Avenue and Whitehall court elevations
in response to the architecture of the neighboring properties. The
new building includes 5,600 m of residential development in two
‘bookend’ towers at the east and west corners of the
site meeting Westminster’s requirements for 35% affordable
housing. At ground floor level 4000 m2 retail and reception areas
provide lively frontages to replace the impenetrable façade
of the Metropole Hotel.
The most prominent views of the new development are those from St.
James’ Park. In response to this the roofscape and setbacks
of the new building are highly articulated to complement the profile
of the adjacent Whitehall Court. These areas provide excellent accommodation
for senior management, boardroom/meeting rooms or a staff canteen.
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