Proposals would replace Seifert block with 83-bed hotel and luxury homes
Foster & Partners has submitted proposals for an 83-room hotel, new homes, shops and restaurants on a prime site in Mayfair.
The scheme, submitted on behalf of client O&H Grafton Street, would require the demolition of all buildings on the site, which is bounded by Grafton Street, Bruton Lane and New Bond Street.
The principal building on the site is an office block designed by Seifert & Partners in the early 1970s; the site also features three other office buildings.
Fosters’ scheme would deliver two new buildings of 11 and seven storeys in height, including “up to six” new homes, 12,000sq m of hotel space, around 2,000sq m of retail space, and 2,000sq m of restaurant space.
A design and access statement supporting the proposals said the scheme – which also features a sixth-floor terrace overlooking Grafton Street – said two new linked structures would replace the existing buildings, which it said had “no apparent relationship to Mayfair’s typical architectural quality”.
It also detailed how the scheme in the application built on separate, already consented, proposals for the site – one of which was drawn up by Squire & Partners.
“By combining sites on Grafton Street and Bruton Lane an integrated architectural proposal has been developed that includes a hotel with associated restaurants, bars and a spa, retail spaces and residential accommodation,” it said.
“Our philosophy and approach to the project has been to respond sensitively and positively to the surrounding historic context with its rich mix of architectural styles, detailing, fenestration and materials.
“The architectural expression of the project is distinctly of its time, but draws reference and inspiration from its historic context.”
It added that the project also proposed to “enhance and upgrade” the public realm in Barlow Place and would include new public art installations that would “celebrate and contribute” to Mayfair’s global reputation as a centre for fine art.
Documents supporting the planning application said that the development would be run by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH’s hospitality division Cheval Blanc.
The Fosters scheme would also preserve a grade II-listed shop front at 14 Grafton Street, which is part of the Seifert building. Designed by John Bruckland in 1974 for the jeweller Wartski, the bronze-panelled façade would be dismantled and incorporated as part of a new retail unit in Barlow Place.
Westminster council suggested the application could be determined before the end of June.
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