Gone shopping: how Oxford Street’s east end is changing fast

61 Oxford Street
Designed by AHMM architects for Dukelease Properties and BA Pensions Trust, the recently completed 61 Oxford Street is a multifunctional building on a prominent corner of Oxford Street. The undulating glass tower designed to mirror the continuous glass shopfronts of Oxford Street stands out as a modern landmark. 

Online shopping may offer a tantalising alternative, but London's Oxford Street remains one of Europe's busiest retail districts. While the famous stretch's west part and borders with the high end Bond Street and Marylebone areas are looking fresh and polished - including work from Future Systems, DSDHR and O'Donnell and Tuomey amongst others - the east end of Oxford Street has been slightly slower in catching up. This is about to change.

Enter a number of new schemes on both the north and south sides of the street that are currently in development, set to completely transform the area. The Crossrail station at Tottenham Court Road is the neighbourhood's landmark infrastructure project and while it won't be finished before 2017, the tube's new entrance and ticket hall by Hawkins\Brown, featuring artwork by Daniel Buren, is already making waves.

61 Oxford Street is one of the first larger scale new mixed-use properties on the eastern end of the retail strip to reach completion. Designed by AHMM for Dukelease Properties, it draws on the form of the 1930s Aalto Vase, by Alvar Alto, who provided the inspiration for its striking curved glass skin. More, such as Derwent's proposed One Oxford Street, are currently in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, the re-launch of the 1966 Richard Seifert-designed Centre Point tower will be another milestone in this part of town. Currently in construction for Almacantar and aiming to receive its first tenants in 2017, the listed building is being masterfully revamped by Rick Mather Architects and Conran and Partners.

Here, you can tour our pick of some of the area's brand new offerings. 

61 Oxford Street 

The glass-fronted office spaces offer spectacular views over Soho and Oxford Street

61 Oxford Street
The development will house offices, retail and apartments - the project's residential element is entitled 11 Soho Street

11 Soho Street
Part of 61 Oxford Street, these luxurious and modern apartment interiors have been designed by Edward Philips

One Oxford Street
Derwent London in co-operation with Crossrail Ltd are developing this mix-use project located directly above Tottenham Court Road station, to include offices, retail space and a theatre and public area. Designed by architects AHMM, the project consists of two different branches separated by a public plaza. Set to open in 2020, One Oxford Street will be a vibrant addition to the new Crossrail site.

Crossrail at Tottenham Court Road
The new Crossrail station at Tottenham Court Road is the driving force behind many of the surrounding developments on Oxford Street. As well as helping design the station, Hawkins\Brown architects are overseeing some development above ground; two projects located on Oxford Street and Dean Street. In addition, the crystalline station entrances have been designed by Stanton Williams. The site-sensitive development will consist of both retail and residential space

Crossrail at Tottenham Court Road
The Hawkins\Brown designed ticket hall recently opened, but full completion is expected in spring 2017 with passenger services starting at the end of 2018

80 Charlotte Street
A Derwent London development, the nearby former Saatchi & Saatchi Charlotte Street base is being transformed by Make Architects into a mixed-use project. The new design will consist of office, retail and residential space as well as affordable housing and a public park. The development will retain part of the existing structure, which will be renovated and joined by a new build element, due to open in 2018.

One Bedford Avenue
In association with Ashby Capital and the Bedford Estates, Exemplar developers have called in architects at Bennetts Associates to redevelop an existing retail and office building a stone's throw from Oxford Street. 

One Bedford Avenue
Work has already started on the new building which fronts Tottenham Court Road and will accommodate retail and office space with stunning views across London

Centre Point
This Grade II listed Richard Seifert designed skyscraper is undergoing a total revamp, due to open in 2017. Together with Rick Mather Architects and Conran and Partners, developers Almacantar are reviving the iconic landmark, which will include affordable housing, luxury residential flats and 45,000 square feet of retail space. 

Centre Point
A public plaza will transform the concrete tower's base into a social hub

Centre Point
While works on site continue, Centre Point has been wrapped in a monochromatic design by Eley Kishomoto, which pays homage to the 1960’s architecture

Rathbone Square
This residential and office space project is the work of Make Architects in collaboration with developers Great Portland Estates. Previously occupied by the Royal Mail West End Delivery Office, the mixed-use project will offer a peaceful haven just seconds away from bustling Oxford Street. 

The Copyright Building
Derwent London are transforming the former site of Richard Seifert and Partner’s Copyright House on Berners Street into office and retail space with architects Piercy & Company.  Work has just started on the new Copyright Building, which is scheduled to complete in 2017.