London’s Soho has always been intrinsically connected to film and the entertainment industry, so it felt only natural that Pathé Films would set up shop there in the early 1900s. Their headquarters on Wardour Street was a historical building of the same period with an ornate Portland stone Edwardian frontage, but when the production company eventually moved out, the building also entered a new era.
During a past redesign, the building, which retained its historic façade, was completely gutted and rebuilt, resulting in inconsistencies between its original front elevation and the run-of-the-mill interior behind it. Enter architects Sheppard Robson, who have just revealed their complete remodelling of the structure, following its transformation from offices into luxury apartments.
Right from the start, the architects set out to address the existing architectural imbalance between old and new, aiming to redesign the contemporary elements in a way that would best complement and work with any original features. The work was done by Sheppard Robson and its interior design group, ID:SR.
‘To work in Soho is to add to its rich layers of history and intrigue’, says ID:SR head Helen Berresford. ‘We had the fantastic opportunity of creating a building that had a distinct quality and narrative throughout. We wanted to deliver apartments that were rooted in the area’s history, whilst resonating with the current identity of the area and marketplace.’
The 15 residential units include two penthouses, and are accompanied by a gym for residents. The rear façade was completely replaced with a modern variation featuring brick, tile, aluminium and floor-to-ceiling windows. Meanwhile, the front façade was restored to its former glory. Hand crafted details and quality materials compose a fittingly modern, yet sensitive interior, full of texture and contemporary style.
Featuring a wealth of high sustainability credentials, the building achieved a BREEAM Ecohomes 'Excellent' rating for its refurbished elements and Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 for the new-build parts.
The result? The Pathé Films apartment building blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior, old and new – reuniting this central London site with its heritage, while bringing it forward into the 21st century.
While the building’s original early 1900s historic frontage was restored to its former glory, the rear façade was completely rebuilt with brick, tile, aluminium and floor-to-ceiling windows
Inside, the building includes 15 modern luxury apartments, two of which are duplex penthouses, framing far-reaching central London vistas
The architects were careful to create a modern yet sensitive interior, full of texture and contemporary style
They also made sure to weave into their design nods to the building’s past; by using black patinated steel for staircases, for example
Similar, rougher-textured elements are contrasted with more luxurious features, such as the kitchen and bathroom fittings
The building’s sustainability credentials helped it achieve an important BREEAM Ecohomes ’Excellent’ rating
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Sheppard Robson website
Photography: Hufton + Crow
-
Zaha Hadid Architects’ new project will be Miami’s priciest condoConstruction has commenced at The Delmore, an oceanfront condominium from the design firm founded by the late Zaha Hadid, ZHA
-
This Beirut design collective threads untold stories into upholstered antique furnitureBeirut-based Bokja opens a Notting Hill pop-up that's a temple to textiles, from upholstered furniture to embroidered cushions crafted by artisans (until 25 March 2025)
-
The Peninsula Hotels broadens its artistic horizons with Victoria and Albert Museum partnershipThe Peninsula Hotels and Victoria and Albert Museum announce a multi-year collaboration set to produce world-class art experiences around the world
-
2025 Serpentine Pavilion: this year's architect, Marina Tabassum, explains her designThe 2025 Serpentine Pavilion design by Marina Tabassum is unveiled; the Bangladeshi architect talks to us about the commission, vision, and the notion of time
-
We celebrate the emerging London architects to be excited aboutThese emerging London architects are some of the capital's finest ground-breakers, movers and shakers; heralding a new generation of architecture
-
A library in a London telephone box? This is a charming reading nook full of surprisesSet in a restored London telephone box, Upper Street Little Library is a cosy beacon to encourage reading to the wider community
-
This revamped east London terraced house is a music lover’s dreamAn east London terraced house gets a boost of personality and sustainability thanks to Archmongers, whose transformation makes room for the owners’ creativity and extensive record collection
-
This elegant infill project slots beautifully into the London streetscapeIn this infill project, a row of garages in Blackheath, south-east London, has been replaced by a contemporary family home by local practice Mailen Design
-
Don’t Move, Improve 2025: the 14 London homes adding design oomph to the everydayThe shortlist for Don’t Move, Improve 2025 has been announced, revealing 14 residential projects across London that add value and pizazz to their inhabitants’ daily lives
-
Space House: explore the brutalist London landmark’s new chapterSpace House, a landmark of brutalist architecture by Richard Seifert & Partners in London’s Covent Garden, is back following a 21st-century redesign by Squire & Partners and developer Seaforth Land
-
Fire-damaged Walworth Town Hall shows off majestic transformationWalworth Town Hall gets a much-needed reimagining by Feix & Merlin, who transformed the heritage building into a contemporary workspace and a hub of its local community in south London
