Almacantar submits luxury plans for residential conversion of Centre Point

Almacantar chief executive Mike Hussey announced the development on Twitter.

It is understood that the application is for the refurbishment and change of use of the 34-storey tower and its adjoining glazed bridge link to Centre Point House.  A pedestrianised public square is intended to create a “welcoming” open air piazza and courtyard, said to be as large as Covent Garden. The property comprises circa 244,000 square feet in total.

Almacantar development director Kathrin Hersel said: “the proposal will breathe new life into the building. We are very encouraged by the positive feedback we received at the public exhibition.”

According to Property Week the company has told  its occupiers that it wants them to have left the building by March 2013. Any occupiers reluctant to exit can expect to pay a maintenance charge after that point under the service charge arrangements, as extensive maintenance operations will begin in earnest, the report said.

The building, which is located between Oxford Street and Covent Garden in London's West End, was designed by architect Richard Seifert and constructed in 1966. Almacantar acquired it in April 2011.

At the time of the acquisition chief executive Hussey said: “We are delighted to have acquired Centre Point. It is a rare opportunity to refurbish one of London’s key landmarks. In the medium term, we expect the building to provide exceptional office accommodation at a point when demand for West End offices will be high and competitive supply low.  We are also keen to speak to stakeholders to understand the opportunity to improve the public realm and secure the long term future of this prized asset.”