The Project
The 40 Argyll Street scheme involves the redevelopment of the former Dickins and Jones department store, a Grade II listed building on a large island site close to Oxford Circus and within the Regent Street Conservation Area. The reconfigured landmark will provide 95,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.
Project Details
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The upper three floors are being reconfigured to provide offices around a light-filled floor-to-roof atrium spaces, with mezzanine levels introduced. A new rooftop terrace and ‘floating’ Sky Room pavilion provide 2,800 sq ft of landscaped socialising and amenity space for occupants and their guests. The ground floor provides a striking, 9m-high, triple-height reception space.
Our Role
We were appointed to provide a monitoring role on behalf of the client, Farton Holdings, reviewing architectural packages for the office levels, atrium, roof space and sky garden as well as a new basement area which will house showers, changing rooms, lockers, bicycle storage, etc.
We are overseeing the atrium strip-out and the shell and core fitout of the upper floors, with the design integrating new, contemporary features and modern building services while respecting key elements of the existing structure, such as the domed and feature ceilings. The lifts are being refurbished rather than replaced and key design details are being retained. The scheme uses cross laminated timber slabs and glulam beams to create an attractive diamond pattern across the roof, with the whole space creating a stunning visual effect for those looking up from the ground floor upon entering. The atrium intervention makes use of a new steel frame and cross laminated timber floor slabs to create a lightweight structure that utilizes the existing concrete sub-structure thereby avoiding the need to pour additional concrete foundations, helping to keep its embodied carbon footprint lower.
Working closely with the whole project team, including AHMM, contractor Mace, building services engineers Arup and the client’ agents, we are helping deliver a beautiful space in which it will be a pleasure to work and socialise. The open plan and adaptable office floors are bright and wellbeing-friendly, benefitting from generous 3.4–5.0m floor-to-ceiling heights.
“Our CMT role ensured that the complexities and unforeseen challenges of working on this listed building did not compromise the original design intent.”
Adam Carling
Veretec, Associate
Our focus is on ensuring that delivery aligns with the architectural intent and that the development is compliant with all relevant regulations and standards. This process includes satisfying the all-important ‘golden thread’ requirements. We are carrying out regular inspections on site, reviewing all contractor variations and reporting to the client with our comments and suggestions.
As with work on many heritage buildings, we have discovered challenges as the stripping back process has revealed them. We have worked with the wider project team in an agile way to adapt the architects design and approaches where required, implementing solutions quickly, collaboratively and safely.
We have been involved with this landmark project’s delivery since early 2025, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2026.