{"id":495015,"date":"2026-03-25T19:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/495015\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T19:31:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:31:10","slug":"hopkins-unveils-plans-to-overhaul-terry-farrells-1-embankment-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/495015\/","title":{"rendered":"Hopkins unveils plans to overhaul Terry Farrell\u2019s 1 Embankment Place"},"content":{"rendered":"

Images released yesterday (24 March) ahead of a new round of public consultation show off the practice\u2019s retrofit-led plans for the Thamesside building, including major changes proposed for the section of the building facing Villiers Street.<\/p>\n

The existing fa\u00e7ade there will be replaced by brick vaults at street level \u2013 introducing new shops along the street \u2013 with a glass fa\u00e7ade above. Improvements are also planned at ground level on Embankment Place and to the bridge above.<\/p>\n

Other improvements include to the public experience of surrounding streets while \u2018retain[ing] the existing building\u2019s distinctive character and design intent \u2013 working with the existing structure rather than replacing it, and responding directly to long\u2011standing challenges\u2019.<\/p>\n

The scheme, first announced in November<\/a> by London developer Bridgemont, involves modernising office space used by PwC. The accountancy giant has been the Thamesside building\u2019s sole occupier since its completion in 1991, using it as its London headquarters.<\/p>\n

Hopkins\u2019 proposals will introduce energy efficiency improvements to the 35-year-old \u2018air-rights\u2019 building above the railway tracks of Charing Cross Station, which will \u2018ensure the building remains attractive to world-leading occupiers and an improved public experience\u2019, the practice said.<\/p>\n

Hopkins has been in discussion with the late architect\u2019s son, Max Farrell, a former partner at Farrells, to ensure continuity of the original design through its \u2018retrofit-first\u2019 approach.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hopkins proposals for 1 Embankment place (March 2026)<\/p>\n

The project was announced last year shortly after Terry Farrell\u2019s death<\/a> in September at the age of 87. Farrell\u2019s other works include the MI6 headquarters in Vauxhall and Alban Gate in the City of London, which tp bennett is to refurbish<\/a> after securing planning in May last year.<\/p>\n

Hopkins co-founder Michael Hopkins and Terry Farrell both featured in the 2014 BBC series The Brits Who Built The Modern World<\/a>, along with Nicholas Grimshaw, Richard Rogers and Norman Foster. Foster is now the only surviving architect of the five.<\/p>\n

Hopkins principal Mike Taylor said: \u2018Our detailed designs build on the principles set out last year but now go further in responding to early consultation feedback and in strengthening how the building meets the city around it. <\/p>\n

\u2018We remain committed to evolving Terry Farrell\u2019s original vision with care \u2013 enhancing 1 Embankment Place\u2019s relationship with Villiers Street, improving daylight and openness, radically overhauling the sustainability performance and ensuring the building continues to serve commercial occupiers and the public for decades to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bridgemont principal Mark Wenlock added: \u2018Through the detailed proposals, we\u2019ve focused on shaping improvements that reflect what people told us mattered most, including a more inviting Villiers Street, better pedestrian connectivity and a higher\u2011quality ground\u2011floor experience. We\u2019re excited about the opportunity to unlock the potential of this unique site while respecting its legacy and reinforcing its role as a key gateway to the West End.\u2019<\/p>\n

Max Farrell, founder of the LDN Collective and former Partner at Farrells, added: \u2018It\u2019s a privilege to help carry forward my late father\u2019s vision for 1 Embankment Place, preserving the bold spirit of the original design while enhancing it in a way that reflects today\u2019s needs and values.<\/p>\n

\u2018Hopkins and the wider project team have shown care and dedication to shaping proposals that honour this ambition and I\u2019m very supportive of the work so far.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Images released yesterday (24 March) ahead of a new round of public consultation show off the practice\u2019s retrofit-led…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":495016,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[6225,6485,6486,1120,96,75908,77449,26588,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-495015","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-artsanddesign","11":"tag-design","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-farrells","14":"tag-hopkins-architects","15":"tag-retrofit","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom","18":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=495015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495015\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/495016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=495015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=495015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=495015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}