Works start on SMT
3 years since Resolution to Grant, and we get going!
I’ve worked on South Molton Triangle for three years, having picked it up when Westminster City Council resolved to grant planning permission in December 2020. On 13th November, specialist engineering contractor McGee started work under their Enabling Package for the Grosvenor and Mitsui Fudosan UK joint venture, which is significant in size and involves all demolition, deconstruction, groundworks and new basement box to ground floor.
Three years… it sounds a long time from planning to start of construction, but we’ve covered quite a lot of ground on the office led buildings, let me tell you!
Completed RIBA 2 design in 2021
RIBA 3 design in 2021 and 2022, including an extra period to improve the depth of the structural zones
Formation of the JV with Mitsui Fudosan UK in 2022
RIBA 4 design during 2022, plus an extra stage in 2023 where we switched many of the facades to a panellised system
Procurement activities, which involved Main Contractors and Enabling Contractors
But all good things must come to an end and this piece doesn’t just mark the start of works on site, but it also marks the end of a chapter for me. I will be leaving Grosvenor (and therefore this project) on 5th January.
For me, as an engineer, the best bit of this project is what is ahead - the complex engineering in a geotechnically challenging area, the problem solving of central London constrained delivery, the physical creation of so many years of theory, and the ability to say “I built that”.
But I’m proud to have steered the project to this milestone and I am now focused on some exiting times ahead for me. I’m not moving to another developer, or even another employer.
Instead I’m going to go explore the industry as a consultant, as an advisor and as a partner to you all. I'll be leaning into some of the things I've been involved with in recent years, with focus on sustainable development, the circular economy, tech/innovation and material reuse.
The new business is called Propetual and it's all about first principles - using less and being more efficient. Drop me a line if you want to know more at hello@propetual.co.uk or message via the LinkedIn Page.
Don’t know about the South Molton Triangle scheme? It’s a fantastic West End project which is highly complex in the way that we are holding buildings up, re-building facades and creating new space to integrate with the existing, all whilst minimising the impact on the listed elements within the site and the surrounding conservation area.
Overall it is a £500 million development, which centres around the joint venture which will deliver 267,000 sq. ft. of premium office space, retail outlets, and leisure amenities. Perfectly located in Mayfair near the Bond Street Elizabeth Line station, the mixed-use development aims to rejuvenate the area, offering a diverse range of features, including affordable housing, a 5-star hotel, cafes, shops, and restaurants. It is expected to draw millions of visitors annually, capitalising on the Elizabeth Line's recent opening.
Aside from the large office buildings, the project also restores Georgian-era buildings on South Molton Street, providing new retail spaces and affordable homes. Additionally, there will be a boutique hotel with 31 rooms on Brook Street. The overall SMT vision is to create a vibrant social hub within the 370,000 sq. ft. development, contributing to the unique character of Mayfair.
It will create a significant economic impact, generating nearly 1,000 permanent jobs upon completion, with an additional 450+ jobs and apprenticeships during the construction phase. It is strategically positioned to be a gateway to Mayfair, with a potential annual spending of £6.5 million. And of course, this is a highly sustainable development, targeting net-zero carbon in both construction and operation, with a commitment to minimising embodied carbon and waste.
The entire project is scheduled for completion by 2027.
