McLaren Construction has been appointed to overhaul the former House of Fraser building on Oxford Street in London for use as a mixed-use development.
The contractor was selected for the £132 million refurbishment and extension of 318 Oxford Street by Publica Properties Establishment.
The new building replaces the old department store shell with ground floor retail, new office space, two restaurants, and a gym with a swimming pool, spanning 34,000 sqm.
The art deco landmark, built in 1937, has deteriorated due to ‘Regent Street disease’, a condition affecting early 20th Century buildings with steel structures clad in masonry.
Corrosion of the steel structure has cracked and displaced parts of the stone façade, and the existing windows have decayed and rusting frames.
The building has been covered in safety netting since 2020.
McLaren will be responsible for repairing the Portland stone façade, reinstating architectural features and completing the Chapel Place façade.
The 6th and 7th floors will be reconstructed, with the addition of a new terrace.
A new set-back 8th floor extension in lightweight construction will house one of the restaurants, also with a terrace.
Larger floorplates will be created by removing internal staircases, lift shafts and divisions, and through some reconstruction.
McLaren managing director London & South, Darren Gill, said: “More of these asset repurposing projects are coming through to the market. These are often familiar buildings in prominent locations. They present an opportunity to improve resilience through a variety of new uses – not just for the building, but for the area too.
“The construction industry will increasingly need the skills to repurpose historic buildings. It’s essential if we want to balance the creation of quality spaces with reduced carbon footprints. McLaren’s investment in this expertise is paying off with a raft of high profile cut and carve projects in central London.”
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