City of London

BBC News reports that the Barbican Centre has revealed its initial plans to renovate its Lakeside, Foyers and Conservatory areas in the first round of proposed works at the complex. The public consultation is now open and runs until 17th February 2025.

City of Westminster

IanVisits reports that plans to refurbish and expand an Ebury Gate near Victoria Station have been put on hold because it might affect the Crossrail 2 tunnels that might run underneath the building when the railway is eventually built.

Co-Star reports that Derwent London has signed global private equity firm Investcorp for the 24,477 sqft second floor at its 25 Baker Street development in West London.

FashionUnited reports that American retailer Abercrombie and Fitch has opened two new stores in London’s prime shopping districts, Oxford Street and Covent Garden, capitalising a high street revival and renewed customer appetite for “physical retail experiences”.

The Evening Standard reports that owners of Park House on Oxford Street have reported that several big retail brands at the site will not renew their lease. These include Pandora, Swarovski, Bershka, Urban Outfitters and the flagship River Island store. Westminster City Council earlier this month signed off plans to change the use of the building to include more “leisure, medical, restaurant and competitive socialising” space.

My London reports that plans to turn disused public toilets near Oxford Street into a new bar have been approved by Westminster City Council. The Barrett Street site was shut permanently in 2021 following several periods of closure due to issues including flooding.

King’s College London reports that Westminster City Council has partnered with King’s Net Zero Centre to develop an ambitious delivery and research programme, to support the council’s net zero targets and unlock barriers to green finance. The partnership will develop business models and low-carbon projects to lead clean energy and heating transition, and retrofit buildings in the central London area. Additionally, the Net Zero Centre will assist the council in developing innovative strategies, to secure the green investment pipeline required to finance these projects and deliver its ambitious net zero targets.

The Evening Standard reports that St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, a central London hospital that had its rebuilding work delayed by more than decade has received a £50 milllion cash injection so planning work can continue. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be able to use the money for design work to redevelop St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, where escalating repair problems are costing £10million a year.

Southwark

City AM reports that redevelopment of “The Slab”, the old headquarters of ITV, on the South Bank has begun, after the developer, Mitsubishi Estate, was granted planning permission by the High Court last December for the redevelopment of 72 Upper Ground after over a year of pushback from campaign group Save Our Southbank (SOS).