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Public Consultation on the Sustainable Refurbishment of 34 Foubert’s Place, Soho

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Securing the long-term future of 34 Foubert’s Place

Existing site view
Bywater Properties, a leading developer driving low-carbon redevelopment across the UK, are pleased to present a public consultation on the sustainable refurbishment of 34 Foubert’s Place.
Our proposals will secure the long-term future of the site via an exemplar timber-first refurbishment, ensuring compliance with industry-leading standards for carbon efficiency and supporting Westminster City Council’s environmental objectives.
These changes will not only significantly improve sustainability but also enhance the building’s functionality, creating high-quality office space which complies with market expectations for tenant facilities and amenity. The refurbishment will also introduce active frontages and a substantial retail offering, enlivening this important corner of Soho and significantly improving the local streetscape. The scheme has been designed to enhance the character of the Soho Conservation Area, with sensitive design to preserve the amenity of neighbouring residents.
Ahead of submitting a planning application to Westminster City Council, we welcome your feedback to shape the development of our proposals.
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About 34 Foubert’s Place

34 Foubert’s Place is an office building located in the heart of Soho.

The building sits at the intersection of Foubert’s Place and Marshall Street, with a primary entrance on Foubert’s Place. It currently consists of 3 storeys of office space plus an ancillary basement level.
Originally built as a neoclassical chapel, the building has undergone significant remodelling throughout its lifespan. This has included the addition of several unsympathetic design elements, including remodelling of the interior and introduction of a 1930s mansard roof extension which currently detracts from the character of the surrounding Conservation Area
Despite its prime location just a short walk from Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus, the building requires significant investment to meet the demands of modern office tenants and ensure compliance with contemporary energy efficiency standards. The existing MEP system is reaching the end of its life with dated inefficient services and poor environmental efficiency and is in need of replacement, with the building performing poorly in terms of energy and carbon efficiency. The building also fails to comply with contemporary BCO requirements, with poor accessibility, non-compliant WC provision, no outdoor amenity space and no cycle parking.
Our proposals represent a significant opportunity to secure the long-term future of the site via an exemplar retrofit-first refurbishment, delivering enhanced office space that meets the needs of modern tenants whilst significantly improving environmental and carbon efficiency and enhancing the building’s setting within the Soho Conservation Area.
View location
Existing site view and location

Our Commitment to the Local Community

Bywater Properties is committed to leading the property sector in sustainability, innovation, and positive community impacts. As a Certified B-Corp, our redevelopment of 34 Foubert’s Place will deliver measurable environmental and social benefits, enhancing the local area’s vibrancy and appeal and supporting Westminster’s broader sustainability goals.

Our Proposals

An exemplar, retrofit-first refurbishment which significantly improves the building’s energy performance

Sensitive architectural design which complements the Soho Conservation Area

Improved office facilities and new amenity spaces to improve tenant experience

Providing high-quality, flexible retail space at ground and basement levels

Introducing active frontages to both public facades to enhance the local streetscape

A Retrofit-First Approach and Improved Carbon Efficiency

The proposed refurbishment will retain approximately 75% of the existing building fabric, aligning closely with Westminster’s “Retrofit First’ policy. The refurbishment will deliver the proposed upgrades via a mixture of timber construction and re-use of existing materials. The existing dated MEP system will be replaced with an innovative all-electric system including Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), solar PV and enhanced glazing and building fabric to achieve a significant uplift in carbon and energy efficiency. The refurbishment will target a minimum of BREEAM “Excellent”, an EPC A rating and LETI 2030 carbon reduction targets.

Improved Tenant Amenity

The refurbished building will also deliver significant improvements to existing office space and improve tenant amenities to comply with contemporary market expectations for office occupiers. The refurbishment will make several updates to meet modern BCO requirements, including introducing level access to all floors, ensuring compliant WC provision, and introducing managed external amenity space at roof level. The proposal will also introduce London-compliant cycle parking provision to incentivise sustainable transport.
We are also proposing to relocate the main building entrance to Marshall Street to create an enhanced reception and arrival experience.

New Retail Spaced and an Enhanced Public Realm

Our refurbishment will also introduce 10,000 sq ft of flexible, high-quality retail space at ground floor and basement levels. Alongside supporting the local economy, this will create active street frontages along both of the building’s public facades on Foubert’s Place and Marshall Street. This will improve pedestrian experience and provide additional street-level activation to support Soho’s vibrant atmosphere.

Sensitive Architectural Integration

Our redevelopment sensitively responds to the historic Soho Conservation Area, replacing the unsympathetic 1930s roof with a carefully designed two-storey timber mansard extension. The sympathetic extension has been designed to preserve views of Craven Hill and mitigate any impacts to listed Georgian terraces on the west side of Marshall Street and Marshall Street Baths and will be recessed at its upper levels. Its symmetrical design of the will correspond to the proportions of the host building, and will retain all heritage features of the existing roof. The historic facades of the buildings will be repaired to improve the character and appearance of the Soho Conservation Area.

VISUALS

Marshall Street

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Proposed

Foubert’s Place

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Proposed

THE TEAM

About Bywater Properties

Bywater Properties is a pioneering developer focused on driving the adoption of low carbon development and refurbishment across the UK. Founded in London in 2006, we address the climate emergency with urgency and intensity; investing in innovation and design to deliver exceptional living and workspace buildings with lasting industry-wide impact. Our business takes a holistic, long-term view of creating social and environmental as well as financial value. Seeking to drive wider social prosperity – not just returns and profit – we aim to make a positive difference to our planet by acting as a catalyst for industry-wide action that helps transform real estate investment into the valued places of the future.
Bywater Properties is renowned for delivering sustainable, community-focused projects that integrate seamlessly into their surroundings. Specialising in high-quality refurbishments and new developments, Bywater consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to architectural excellence, heritage sensitivity, and significant environmental performance. With a proven track record of successful projects achieving BREEAM Outstanding and LETI 2030 targets, Bywater prioritises carbon reduction, resource efficiency, and community value. Bywater Properties’ approach is underpinned by ESG principles, ensuring each development provides tangible and lasting benefits to both local communities and broader environmental objectives.
At 34 Foubert’s Place, we have assembled an experienced team to work across all aspects of the proposals and dedicated to delivering an exemplary retrofit-first development, significantly enhancing Soho’s urban fabric and sustainability.
Bywater Properties. Putting the future in place.

tHE WIDER team

Community Engagement Consultant
Community Engagement Consultant
Architect
Architect
Planning Consultant
Planning Consultant

HAVE YOUR SAY

We want to hear your feedback to shape our proposals for 34 Foubert’s Place.

To share your feedback and questions with the project team, please complete the contact form below.

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  • The survey will close on Tuesday 29th April
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