Crown Estate submits plans for St James's Market redevelopment

The plans will see the redevelopment of three sites in St James's Market, including 52-56 Haymarket and 14-20 Regent Street, to deliver over 300,000 square feet of mixed-use accommodation.

The development will consist of two blocks between Haymarket and Regent Street and will include over 200,000 sq ft of office space, 45,000 sq ft of retail, restaurant and leisure accommodation as well as a 24,000 sq ft public area and a 10,000 sq ft pedestrian square with public art. The development includes proposals for two associated development schemes to create new homes in a 40,000 sq ft space.

Make Architects is the architect for the scheme.

"The regeneration of St James's Market is an opportunity to revive a neglected location at the heart of London, bringing it back into line with historic St James's for the benefit of 21st century businesses, local residents and visitors alike," said the Crown Estate's head of development, Alastair Smart.

"Our long term vision for the area will protect St James's distinct niche in the West End office market, enhance its position as a stimulating and eclectic shopping and dining destination, create new homes, improve the public realm and above all, protect St James's celebrated heritage," he said.

The Crown Estate owns a £1 billion, 4 million sq ft property portfolio in St James's, which represents nearly 50% of the buildings in the area. The redevelopment is part of a £500 million investment programme for the area, which is guided by St James's Strategies  (12-pages, 339KB PDF), which was launched in 2011.

It is anticipated that work on the development will start in October 2013 at the earliest, with completion expected in early 2016.