33 Davies Street, London

Architect	HOK
Date Built	2010 - 2014
Location	Davies Street & Grosvenor Street
Description
33 Davies Street is an office building with street-level retail units. The building is located within the Conservation Area of the Grosvenor Estate. The architects HOK (Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum) say that, considering its location, the building needed to, "... balance contemporary and traditional aesthetics. Incorporating the essence of classical architecture, the design team worked with Grosvenor Estate and Stow Properties to give the building its own identity while ensuring that it fits comfortably in its surroundings. .... In reference to neighboring buildings, the exterior has the appearance of handset, handmade brickwork, with decorative elements crafted from Portland stone. The facade is actually composed of precast panels elegantly detailed to hide joints and junctions. Using this material accelerated construction while giving the facade a consistent appearance." The entrance features three solid bronze portcullis entrance gates designed by the artist Wendy Ramshaw CBE. The "grosvenor.com" website explains that, "... The three 3.6m bronze portcullis gates at 33 Davies Street, Mayfair, London create both a grand entrance for the office's occupiers and interest for passers by. The artist Wendy Ramshaw was inspired by the scale and proportions of the entrance and a desire to bring together the past and the present."