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The iconic building above one one of London’s busiest train hubs is due to get a major makeover.
One Embankment Place is the impressive postmodern-style building above Charing Cross station that was originally designed by the late Sir Terry Farrell in the 1980s. If you look at it from the other side of the Thames, you’ll see that it resembles Victorian trainshed roofs rising up from the riverbank.
The building mostly houses offices and, since it was completed in 1991, it has been the headquarters of professional services network PwC. Now, it’s in need of a big facelift.
The enhancement of Embankment Place is being led by property developers Bridgemont alongside award winning architect firm Hopkins Architects, which previously works on refurbishments of the Grade II-listed Financial Times building at Bracken House and the Wellcome Trust headquarters on Euston Road.
Hopkins’ vision for the building includes improving the arrival experience and connections at ground level to Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo Station, repositioning it as ‘a vibrant destination for business, culture and tourism’, ensuring it continues to appeal to businesses and reducing its energy usage.
Plans include transforming the Victorian brick arches beneath the building into a space with high-quality retail and amenities. On top of that, the architects want to to improve connections to nearby stations, introduce more greenery, install more seating areas and celebrate the site’s ‘unique history and character through thoughtful placemaking’.
Mike Taylor, Principal at Hopkins Architects, said: ‘It is a privilege to be entrusted with the evolution of 1 Embankment Place – a building that holds a distinctive place in London’s architectural landscape. Our sensitive approach is guided by deep respect for Sir Terry Farrell’s original vision, and we are committed to ensuring the building continues to serve its community and occupiers with relevance, resilience and dignity for generations to come.’
An initial public consultation for the plans closed on December 1 but a second phase of consultation is scheduled for next spring. It’s hoped that a planning application will be submitted by summer 2026.
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