Green light for two London office-to-residential conversions

The schemes will both be brought forward by developer Alchemi Group.

The plans will include the conversion of the existing 57,000 square feet office building at 55 Victoria Street into 54 new flats. Alchemi Group acquired the building, which was previously let to the Secretary of State for Transport, in March last year.

The Council's planning sub-committee resolved to grant consent despite the proposals having been recommended for refusal in the committee report (32-page / 8.72MB PDF).

The report said that the proposed building was considered to be of "excessive height and bulk" which would be "harmful to the character and appearance of the townscape" and "harmful to the setting of the immediately adjacent conservation areas".

The developer said that demolition work has already commenced on the site. It said it expects the flats to be completed in 2015.

“Victoria Street is in one of London’s up-and-coming office and residential locations and I am particularly pleased that we have achieved planning consent for this landmark building, whose conversion will make a substantial contribution to the area," said Alchemi Group managing director Charlie Baxter in a statement.

The Council also approved a 20-home redevelopment of the 35,047 office and retail Westbourne House building in west London. The plans include the addition of a new floor to the existing six storey building to create a penthouse apartment.

The Council's committee report (60-page / 16.44MB PDF) said that the proposals would create a "high quality" residential conversion and that the alterations to "radically remodel" the existing building would "enhance the appearance and character of this part of the Westbourne Conservation Area.

Alchemi Group acquired the building in July last year. It said it expects the redevelopment to be complete in 2015.

"I am delighted we have achieved planning consent for this exciting opportunity and I look forward to the improved building making a positive contribution to the area," said Baxter.