A Central London council has approved the refurbishment of John Lewis’ old headquarters in Victoria to try and attract a new tenant.
Westminster City councillors unanimously voted to approve the scheme at 171 Victoria Street during a planning meeting on Tuesday, July 8.
Planning Committee Chair, Cllr Jason Williams, said the refurbishment was an “improvement” to the area with the building currently vacant. He said: “I think this will improve the ASB [antisocial behaviour] that has been there for many years. We’ve seen the effects of that on residents living locally.”
Fellow committee member, Cllr Jim Glen, agreed, saying: “I like this building and I like the fact it’s not being completely messed about. I think it’s a sensible approach to a bit of a victorious street icon.”
Stuart Johnson, the long-term owner of the site, told councillors the best way to directly address antisocial behaviour was to bring the building back into active use as soon as possible.
Architect Julian Sharpe said the building would receive a “tidying up” including new glass windows and glazing. The committee also dismissed a request by Victoria Neighbourhood Forum’s Glenn Murphy to defer a decision.
Mr Murphy argued the committee should wait to receive all the responses from a recent public consultation for a Public Spaces Protection Order before making a decision.
Owners Kirkglade Limited will infill two internal atriums and build rooftop extensions to bridge the disconnected elements on its 1970s office block on Victoria Street, according to its planning application.
The proposal includes two new entrances and a green roof and the removal of port-cochere on Carlisle Street. The ground floor colonnade to the piazza outside Westminster Cathedral will also be infilled to provide one office entrance.
The proposal will bring 3,421sqm of extra office floorspace. According to the planning application, the council said the colonnade on Cathedral Piazza already suffers from antisocial behaviour and currently has temporary hoarding and infilling them would “increase the engagement of the building with the piazza and enhance natural surveillance”.
Architects TP Bennett said the changes should make the building more attractive to tenants. They wrote: “The office space on site is currently oriented around a single occupier. Our proposals will help to create a more flexible office space, allowing for multiple new tenants, whilst bringing the spaces up to standard.
“This will include new outside amenities along with additional entrances and a new cycling and end of journey infrastructure.”
Westminster City’s planning officer said the proposed changes will modernise the building and allow it to be occupied by multiple tenants.
Also known as BP House, 171 Victoria Street was constructed in the 1970s as part of a wider development along Victoria Street, according to the council. The building has a distinctive modular form and consists of four to six storeys to the Cathedral Piazza and a 15-storey tower to the Carlisle Place side.
The building was originally occupied by BP and more recently by John Lewis. The chain moved to a new building in Pimlico in September 2024.
Adrian Zorzut is a Senior Local Democracy Reporter covering Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and the City of London. A contributor to Harrow Online, his reporting focuses on local government, housing, planning, transport and public policy, helping residents understand the decisions and issues affecting their communities.
