Building Berkeley

Friday 24 April 2020

Editor, NLQ and New London Weekly

In another success for virtual planning processes, Piercy&Co secured a resolution to grant planning consent from Westminster City Council last week for the redevelopment of 36-38 Berkeley Square for Astrea Asset Management.

The project has been designed both in consideration to its neighbours and with the broader public realm developments going on in other parts of Berkeley Square in mind, providing some 85,000 sqft of office space over nine storeys plus 9,000sqft of retail/gallery space at ground and lower ground. The project also includes 7000sqft of terrace gardens designed by Chelsea Flower Show multiple winner Andy Sturgeon.

The practice said the design emerged in reference to a study of façade grids across the square, and abstractly references the stacked stonework of Ben Nicholson. The elevation onto Berkeley Square is formed by a grid of Portland Stone columns supporting smooth white cast masonry lintels, while the uppermost two floors are set back and clad in softer grey stone.

‘We were interested in exploring ideas of depth, surface texture and the monumentality of stone’, said Stuart Piercy, founding director of Piercy&Co. Astrea head of development Peter Pulford praised the strong project team and said the scheme is ‘a clear example of our vision to create new spaces that will excite occupiers’.

Giles Easter, Chief Executive of Astrea Asset Management said: “The enduring quality of this proposed development marks another key milestone in the revitalisation of Berkeley Square, ensuring it maintains its position as offering the highest quality accommodation in the very heart of Mayfair.” Construction of the scheme is set to commence next year with completion planned for early 2024.