| Architect |
MAKE |
| Date
Built |
Re-opened
2008; built originally in the 1950s |
| Location |
Baker Street
and Blandford Street |
| Description |
|
This building
on Baker Street was once the head office of
Marks and Spencer, prior to its move to the
Paddington Basin. Apparently, the
original plan was to demolish the building
but instead MAKE Architects were
commissioned to design what they describe as
a, "... radical renovation" that
would transform the site into, "... an
important new urban amenity. While
providing an exceptional range of
flexible and highly efficient office
spaces, the scheme enhances activity at
street level by offering an enriched mix
of uses and introducing a substantial
new public space to the
streetscape." They add
that, "The transformation of the
building is dramatically expressed by
three glass infills or ‘masks’ which
span the voids between the existing
blocks to create a unified but modulated
new facade. The central
glazed section encloses a seven-storey
atrium accessed directly from street
level."     The ground floor has
been entirely re-clad and is home to
retail units, cafes and restaurants.
 ********
Inside ******
           |
|
|
55 Baker
Street, London
 |
