Client: McAleer & Rushe Group, Leicester Square
Whilst the old Swiss Centre was a well known London landmark, as a building it was very much a product of its time. Gerald Eve were instructed to advise on the redevelopment of the former Swiss Centre in order to create a new building, designed by Jestico + Whiles for this prominent island site.
The existing building intruded substantially into the strategic view from Parliament Hill to the Palace of Westminster and a key issue was the extent to which the proposed building should be reduced, whilst still remaining above the development plane. Detailed townscape analysis
was undertaken in order to arrive at an acceptable outcome.
The redevelopment proposal of some 20,000 sq m including, principally, a new hotel for central London, supported by shops and restaurants with 10 luxury duplex flats on the eighth and ninth floors to the building.
The 220 bedroom hotel would be supported by its own bar and restaurant with a separate access to a casino.
The proposal included the loss of a small cinema. We undertook a financial viability assessment in order to justify the proposed redevelopment and mix of uses compared with the existing building. This was subsequently agreed with the GLA and WCC.
Gerald Eve advised in all aspects of the town planning process and planning permission was granted in 2006 with no intervention from the Mayor of London.
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