One of central London’s most congested and unwelcoming thoroughfares, Villiers Street, is set to be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly public space as part of major plans to overhaul the landmark office building above Charing Cross station.
The scheme, which will see the ageing 1 Embankment Place comprehensively refurbished, promises to radically reshape the experience of the sloping street, which currently sees around 3,000 people an hour at peak times — a footfall greater than Bond Street. Despite recent council repaving, it remains a cramped, partially vehicle-shared route that the development team describes as dingy and overcrowded.
Reviving the Street and the Original Vision
The plans, unveiled by Hopkins Architects on behalf of developer Bridgemont, aim to open up Villiers Street with improved frontages, better lighting and a complete redesign of the public realm. A key goal is to revive the original intention of the building’s late architect, Sir Terry Farrell, whose 1991 postmodern design envisioned a lively, active ground floor—an aspect that has become diluted over time.
The proposals seek to restore that vision by enhancing the iconic Victorian brick arches beneath the building with high-quality retail and introducing a mix of shops, cafés and leisure spaces. The ambition is to create a brighter, more welcoming gateway connecting the West End with the South Bank. The street itself, named after George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and developed in the 1670s, could see timed pedestrian and cycle zones or even full pedestrianisation between certain points to improve the flow of people.
Mark Wenlock, a Principal at Bridgemont, stated: “Through the detailed proposals, we’ve focused on shaping improvements that reflect what people told us mattered most, including a more inviting Villiers Street, better pedestrian connectivity, and a higher-quality ground-floor experience.”
A “Retrofit-First” Approach to an Architectural Landmark
Above the street, the office building itself will undergo a significant facelift guided by a “retrofit-first” philosophy. Approximately 90% of the existing structure and most of its façade will be retained to minimise embodied and operational carbon, delivering 35,000 square metres of upgraded, sustainable workspace.
The building, an “air-rights” development spanning the railway lines and occupied solely by PwC since its completion, has many elements reaching the end of their operational life. The redesign will add new outdoor terraces and improved amenities while targeting a 70% reduction in operational energy use through all-electric systems and 180 rooftop photovoltaic panels, aiming for a BREEAM Outstanding rating.
Mike Taylor, Principal at Hopkins Architects, emphasised the sensitive approach: “It is a privilege to be entrusted with the evolution of 1 Embankment Place… Our sensitive approach is guided by deep respect for Sir Terry Farrell’s original vision.” Sir Terry Farrell’s son, Max Farrell, is also involved in the current plans to respect and adapt his father’s work.
Wider Connections and Coinciding Upgrades
The vision extends into the surrounding area, with proposals for better pedestrian connectivity to Victoria Embankment Gardens and a rethink of the building’s entrance to Charing Cross station in partnership with Network Rail. Renderings also suggest the heavily used high-level walkway to Hungerford Bridge will be smartened up.
These changes coincide with separate, significant infrastructure works. Network Rail has outlined plans for a major 22-day closure of Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations in summer 2026 to replace 1,800 metres of life-expired track. Furthermore, Transport for London announced plans back in 2016 to modernise the tube station’s Northern and Bakerloo line ticket halls, creating new retail space.
The public can learn more at consultation sessions on Wednesday 25th March and Thursday 26th March 2026, from 4pm to 7:30pm at The Clermont Hotel, next to Charing Cross station. An online consultation will run from 25th March to 19th April 2026.
