Former Vogue HQ in Central London to get two extra storeys and a restaurant

Vogue's former headquarters in London will get two extra storeys and a new restaurant after the council approved a planning application.

Westminster City councillors voted unanimously to back the proposal during a Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday (July 22).

Planning Chair, Councillor Sara Hassan, agreed with her colleagues and the recommendation of planning officers to approve a deep retrofit of the historic building at 1 Hanover Square. She said: "As the report sets out, there is less than substantial harm to heritage assets and these are outweighed by the public benefits so I also support this."

Objectors told councillors at Tuesday's meeting the development was "far too bulky and excessive". One objector, representing 3 Hanover Square, said the plans were "poorly devised".

A CGI of the proposed refurb of Vogue's former HQ at 1 Hanover Street, London, UK
The plans include keeping 92pc of the frontages on Hanover Square

They said: "The proposed development represents a sizable, dominant expansion of the existing building, effectively enveloping 3 Hanover Square to the west and south.

"The resulting mass of this part of the rear will result in a loss of existing historic views of number 3 when looking along the mews from Curtain Street. Such major change to the town space is, in our view, unwarranted and regretful and would cause a level of harm to the Mayfair conservation area that isn't justified."

But council planning officers were quick to justify their recommendation. One officer said the proposal in front of councillors was "well crafted" and "attractive". They said: "It's clear there is a good deal of additional height involved but height and bulk, per say (sic), aren't necessarily harmful."

Architect Stewart Piercy, who designed the proposal, said the project retains the main facades and 62per cent of the existing concrete slabs.

He said: "[It] significantly upgrades the facades while preserving character with a sustainable, future-proof office space. It improves the public realm and importantly creates once again a fine headquarters building on this important site."

In its planning application, building owners Nautilina Limited said the proposal was a "once in a generation opportunity" to build best-in-class office space as it seeks to move into the iconic 1950s building.

Vogue's former HQ at 1 Hanover Square, London, UK
1 Hanover Square was purpose-built for Conde Nast in the 1950s

According to its planning application, the international real estate company is replacing the seventh floor and building a new eighth floor and rooftop plant and garden. It will bring 524sqm of additional retail space at the ground floor for a new restaurant.

The "deep retrofit" will also see 92pc of frontages on Hanover Square and St George Street kept in place.

The office space is to be designated as the global headquarters for Nautilina, an international group of real estate asset management and investment advisory companies operating across the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, according to the application.

The building is located at the south-east corner of Hanover Square and was purpose built for Vanity Fair and British Vogue founder Conde Nast in 1958. It was the fashion magazine's headquarters until their departure in 2024 to the Adelphi Building on the Strand.

Conde Nast, the company, sold the leasehold interest of 1 Hanover Square in 2024.

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Mr. Elmi

Mr.E.Elmi has a passion for writing and enjoys wrting on a variety of topics including health. Mr. Elmi has a post graduate certificate on International relations and globalization from London metropolitan university and honorary degree in Business Information Technology from London Guildhall University.

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