Built at the height of London’s Georgian era, on one of its grandest sites, no.14’s Portland stone façade has graced the north face of Cavendish Square for 250 years.
The Grade II listed building will provide over 7,000 sq ft of net internal Grade A office space, as well as the option of a separately-accessed studio in the Mews of 1,205 sq ft at the rear.
A refined scheme has been prepared, offering the unique combination of grand Georgian rooms looking south over the trees of the Square at the front, and modern open-plan offices behind, with three outdoor spaces.
“To spend time in this building, to sit beneath its soaring ceilings, to watch the passing of sunlight through the day, the leaves through the year, knowing that all London has to offer is just outside the door, is an incredible experience.”
William Smalley, Architect
(House & Garden's top 100 designers, 2020)
Each of the building’s five floors have been carefully stripped to their core in anticipation of the proposed scheme of works. This has revealed a rich patina of history as well as the graceful proportions of the existing interiors. The rawness of broken plaster walls and ceilings, exposed stone floors and open space, provide a canvas of unique potential for the impending development.
A commitment to quality and sophisticated design runs throughout the proposed scheme, in a palette of natural materials, tactile and expressive of quality.
For 14 Cavendish Square, architect Walker Bushe’s commitment to elegant and sustainable modern architecture has been coupled with William Smalley’s refined sensibility. Together, they have produced a scheme of works which will revitalise the listed building.
In the scheme, an elegance of line provides continuity between the Georgian original, the 1950s reconstruction, and modern insertions.
Taking inspiration from the materiality of the original building, a harmonious contemporary material palette has been curated, in natural stone and brass tones.
London’s garden squares are its greatest architectural legacy. A living record of London’s history, 14 Cavendish Square spans the story of modern London, from the early eighteenth century to the present day.
The building was developed as one of four mansions by Sir George Foster Tufnell in 1770, and was built in two pairs, each boasting a grand order of Corinthian pilasters beneath matching pediments. Together they form one of London’s great architectural façades.
Having sustained bomb damage during the Second World War, the rear of the buildings were carefully rebuilt in the early 1950s, during which they were connected by a graceful arch over Dean’s Mews which runs between them. One of the city’s finest public sculptures, Jacob Epstein’s Madonna and Child (1950-52), was commissioned to adorn the archway.
Plans have recently been approved for the modern car park under the Square to undergo a £200 million redevelopment into a luxury shopping and wellness centre, continuing its history into the twenty-first century.
Jacob Epstein’s Madonna and Child, 1950-52 was commissioned to hang over Dean’s Mews facing Cavendish Square. It was cast from no.14’s roofing lead, recovered as a result of bomb damage to the rear of the building sustained during the Second World War.
Currently home to an underground car park servicing Cavendish Square, the Square itself is set to be transformed with a £200 million subterranean redevelopment by the Reef Group.
Housing wellness and healthcare facilities, alongside shopping and leisure spaces, the four-storey underground development will make the space “one of London’s premier public destinations for businesspeople, visitors and local residents to enjoy”.
This, alongside the further redevelopment of neighbouring buildings, is set to transform the immediate area into an ultra-contemporary hub for business, finance, design, medicine, and high-end retail.
The Lower Ground Floor provides 1,421 sq ft of modernised office space and uncompromised ceiling heights. It will enjoy new sightlines throughout its common areas which will be laid in Portland stone. The floor’s rear office will benefit from floor-to-ceiling windows at its far end, overlooking a curated green space.
The Ground Floor’s 1,216 sq ft of space boasts various original elements in its marble flooring, cornices, fireplaces, and grand central staircase. In addition, new sightlines will be created throughout the common areas, which in turn will be adorned with bespoke European light fixtures. The rear offices will boast floor to ceiling glass windows due to look out onto a courtyard bedecked with greenery, whilst the front office enjoys direct views onto the Square.
This extraordinary 1,410 sq ft floor offers magnificent views of the Square to the front, whilst a stunning open-air terrace is planned to the rear. The ceiling heights are in excess of 4 meters, and the front office possesses an original Georgian fireplace and detailing.
The Second Floor provides 1,410 sq ft of contemporary office space with superior views of the Square to the front.
This floorplate, due to be completely opened up, is 1,334 sq ft in size, and will be bathed in natural light from all sides. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows will wrap around the landscaped courtyard outside, and additional skylights are planned for the vaulted front ceiling.
Cavendish Square, one of London’s grandest Georgian squares, is perfectly placed for Mayfair and Marylebone, Soho and Bloomsbury, with Harley Street running north towards Regent’s Park, and Oxford Street just to the south.
14 Cavendish Square is particularly well located. It borders Mayfair and Marylebone, Fitzrovia and Soho, and can claim culturally esteemed institutions as its neighbours: Wigmore Hall and The Wallace Collection; Chiltern Firehouse Hotel and Claridge’s Hotel; Liberty and Selfridges. The building is within light walking distance of both Bond Street and Oxford Street underground stations, as well as the new Crossrail Bond Street Station that will serve the Elizabeth Line.
14 CAVENDISH SQUARE FACADE
as SEEN FROM CAVENDISH SQUARE
No.14’s Portland stone façade has graced the north face of Cavendish Square for 250 years.
The Grade II listed building will enjoy a refined scheme, offering a unique combination of grand Georgian rooms looking south over the trees of the Square at the front, and modern open-plan offices behind.
Entrance hall
visualisation
The reimagined entrance hall will see the original stone and slate floor, plaster and timber details, and Adam fireplace each refurbished and restored to their period grandeur.
In addition to this, united by a soft palate of natural finishes, new bronze-accented arched openings will lead past the lift to the Mews access at the rear of the building.
The skylight above the grand central staircase will bathe the space in rich natural light. Elegant European light fixtures will adorn the ceiling and walls.
Grand staircase
visualisation i
The magnificent central stair rises past two landings to an elegant skylight, some 40’ above.
The staircase itself is in fact a fine recreation from the 1950s, built in concrete after the stone original, with a mahogany handrail and faithful replica of the fine wrought iron serpentine balustrade.
grand staircase
visualisation ii
Like many grand Georgian houses, the centrepiece of 14 Cavendish Square is its impressive top-lit stairwell.
first floor front office
visualisation I
The grand front room on the First Floor, the piano nobile of the building, enjoys ceiling heights in excess of four meters, providing the room with its perfect proportions.
Centred around three windows overlooking the square, as well as a carved fireplace, it is a room to inspire quiet awe.
First floor front office
visualisation II
The elegance of the front rooms lies not just in their perfect proportion, but also in the fine workmanship of the details.
Architectural features
CARVED MARBLE FIREPLACE AND ORIGINAL DETAILING
Period plaster cornices, carved marble fireplaces, panelled and original plaster walls possess an authenticity that cannot be recreated.
Architectural features
ORIGINAL GEORGIAN STREET LAMP (ONE OF A PAIR) ON THE BUILDING’S PALLADIAN FACADE
The building was developed as one of four mansions by Sir George Foster Tufnell in 1770, and was built in two pairs, each boasting a grand order of Corinthian pilasters beneath matching pediments. Together they form one of London’s great architectural façades.
Ground floor rear office
visualisation
Leading off the grand front rooms are even larger, and equally tall, modern office spaces in the reconstructed rear of the building.
Full height glazing or tall sash windows look out onto planted courtyards and roof terraces.
A lighting scheme has been prepared by specialist designers, combining soft reflected light and direct desk lighting, all tailorable to the user.
First floor rear terrace
visualisation
14 Cavendish Square will offer three outdoor spaces:
A central planted courtyard, between the main building and the rear Mews, providing calming views and natural light via tall sash windows to both the Lower Ground and Ground Floors.
The First Floor rear terrace, shown here, is ideal for outdoor meetings and summer drinks. The garden will be beautifully planted.
A lightwell around the main stair skylight on the top floor is to be fully glazed, and planted with a full width green wall.
third floor
current state
Even in its current state, the Third Floor is intensely atmospheric. The proposed scheme will seek to maintain this unique energy whilst restoring it in its entirety.
Third floor
visualisation
The reimagined top floor will be completely opened up, and will centre around a new glazed terrace looking out onto a full width green wall. The terrace will provide a calming breakout space.
In addition to this, new skylights have been incorporated into the scheme of works for the floor, allowing for ample natural light, making it a modern, bright and energising space.
Powder room
visualisation
Taking inspiration from the materiality of the original building, a harmonious contemporary material palette has been curated, in natural stone and brass tones.
Vaulted lift lobby
visualisation
In the scheme, an elegance of line provides continuity between the Georgian original, the 1950s reconstruction, and modern insertions.
Shallow domed lift lobbies are planned for all five floors, finished in Venetian plaster in flattering natural tones.
