Ex-college campus next to London's Oxford Street set for major refurbishment

"Berkeley Estate Asset Management, acting on behalf of long-term site owner Oxford and City Holdings Ltd, has proposed a "deep retrofit" and extension of 33 Cavendish Square. This includes refreshing the site's three towers and removing their core to create a more open-space plan. This includes tearing down the former College of Fashion campus and replacing it with an eight-storey block and deepened basement."

"They said the proposed frontage undermines the "rhythm" of Oxford Street while one objector said demolishing the south podium "is not justified". They wrote: "The South Podium is a cultural asset, having housed the London College of Fashion for over half a century. Removing this building would sever a key part of that history and diminish Oxford Street's unique identity.""

Berkeley Estate Asset Management proposes a deep retrofit and extension of 33 Cavendish Square, refreshing three towers and removing their cores to create a more open-plan layout. The scheme would demolish the former College of Fashion campus and replace it with an eight-storey block and deepened basement. The towers would remain as office space, with floors between the 17th and 19th storeys potentially converted into a viewing gallery, bar, and food area. New blocks would provide office, cultural and creative floorspace, restaurants, a pub, and a food hall. Local groups largely support the scheme but express concern that its height and massing may be overbearing.

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