RH 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street London W1S

Design & Access Statement December 2020 Design and Access Statement

This Design and Access Statement is submitted on behalf of RH Inc. to accompany the application for planning permission and listed building consent for the redevelopment of 7 Burlington Gardens and 1-2 Old Burlington Street.

Planning permission is sought for:

‘Partial change of use to facilitate the use of the buildings as a ‘retail gallery’ and restaurant (Class E), replacement roof structure at 7 Burlington Gardens and a series of associated external and internal works to reconfigure and refurbish the fabric of the buildings.’

The document will set out the development strategy and the design principles that have been adopted for the site which is within the Mayfair Conservation Area.

This document should be read in accordance with detailed, supplementary information submitted as part of the application. Namely:

• Planning Statement • Heritage, Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment; • Noise Impact Assessment; • Ecology Report; • Kitchen Report; • Daylight and Sunlight Statement; • Ventilation and Extraction Statement • Utilities Statement; • Statement of Community Involvement; • Sustainability and Energy Statement (indluding BREEM); • Transport Assessment; • Travel Plan; • Lighting Assessment; • Construction Method Statement; Contents

1 Introduction 2 Site Context 3 Design Strategy 4 Access and Servicing 5 Appendices

1.1 Vision 2.1 Introduction 3.1 Introduction 4.1 Inclusive Design 5.1 Area Schedules 1.2 Project Team 2.2 Location 3.2 Design Objectives 4.2 Inclusive Design Provisions 5.2 Visualisations 1.3 RH - The Applicant 2.3 Urban Context 3.3 Consultation Process 4.3 Security and Crime 1.3.1 RH - Design Galleries 2.4 Site Access 3.4.1 Proposal Prevention 1.3.2 RH - Hospitality 2.5 Site Influences 3.4.2 Guest Experience 4.4 Access and Maintenance 1.3.3 RH - Interior Design 2.6 Mayfair Luxury Retail • Design Principles 1.3.4 RH - Historic Portfolio 2.7 Mayfair Galleries • Guest Circulation 1.4 Foster + Partners -Practice • Existing Circulation Philosophy Heritage • Improved Circulation 1.5 Foster + Partners - Relevant 3.4.3 Banking Hall Experience 2.8 Mayfair Conservation • Design Principles 2.9 Listed buildings • Mezzanine Proposal 2.10 Architectural History • Restaurant 2.11 Architectural Characteristics 3.4.4 Courtyard 2.12 Development Framework • Design Principles 2.13 Current Uses • Rear Elevation 2.14 Existing Photos • Courtyard Roof Lights 3.4.5 Roof • Existing Roofscape • Evolution • Proposal • Materials 3.4.6 Exterior Materials 3.4.7 Public Realm and Landscaping

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 3

Introduction 1

Vision 1.1

This application proposes to create a unique retail destination in the heart of Mayfair by fully refurbishing the historic buildings and repurposing them with a use more akin to the functions of the original building.

The objective is to create a new concept of user immersion that challenges the norm and will redefine the retail experience. Located on Burlington Gardens, it will complement and enhance the already outstanding cultural, retail and culinary experiences of the historically important area.

The buildings will be managed by RH London Gallery Limited, who have an international reputation for curating luxury galleries that showcase exquisitely crafted home furnishings in architecturally inspiring spaces.

The project combines buildings on Burlington Gardens and Old Burlington Street to create an integrated architectural proposal that celebrates the historic characteristic of the Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings.

The development includes a design gallery to showcase RH’s luxury collections with a client-facing interior design service and a seamlessly integrated restaurant experience.

As a design team, our holistic philosophy and approach to the project has been to respond sensitively and positively to the historic context with its abundant mix of history, architectural attributes, materials and detailing.

The development will open the building to a much wider audience and allow the gallery to form part of the public realm by reactivating the surrounding streetscape and allowing the visitors to flow naturally through the buildings.

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 7

Project Team 1.2

Applicant Heritage Consultant Catering Consultant ( London Team) Restoration Hardware Montagu Evans SHW-Design

15 Koch Road 70 St Mary Axe, The Stables, Home Farm Ste K Corte London Eynsford, Kent Madera California EC3A 8BE DA4 0AE 94925 Principal Designer Project Manager Foster and Partners Architect Savills Foster + Partners Riverside 15 Finsbury Circus House 22 Hester Road Riverside London London 22 Hester Road EC2M 7EB SW11 4AN London SW11 4AN Daylight and Sunlight Advisor Building Control GIA Shore Engineering Planning Consultants Savills The Whitehouse The Mill, Station Road Belvedere Road Colchester, Essex 33 Margaret Street London CO7 7RS London SE1 8GA W1G 0JD Lighting Consultant Cost Consultant Sean O’Connor MEP Engineer Gardiner & Theobald Buro Happold 12955 W. Washington Boulevard 10 South Crescent Los Angeles, California 17 Newman St London 90066 Fitzrovias WC1E 7BD London W1T 1PD Catering Consultant (US Team) Next Step Design Structural Engineer Ramboll 350 S. Northwest Highway Suite 300 240 Blackfriars Road Park ridge, Illinois London 60068 SE1 8NW

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 9 10 RH - The Applicant 1.3

RH (formally known as Restoration Hardware) are curators of design, taste and style in the luxury lifestyle market. In the past decade, RH has re imagined itself to become the leading brand in luxury home furnishings, offering the most comprehensive and compelling collection of furniture, lighting, textiles and decor in the world. A multi-platform design company, their innovative galleries, source books and websites are redefining the retail experience.

RH have 69 galleries and 30 outlets throughout the United States and Canada; and publishes RH Interiors, RH Modern, RH Outdoor, RH Beach House, RH Ski House, RH Lighting, RH Rugs, RH Baby & Child and RH Teen source books.

Their strategy to expand the RH brand globally and open Design Galleries in a variety of major markets around the world will reinforce London’s existing reputation as a key luxury retail destination.

RH are inspired by great architecture and design, they are passionate about curating the best artisans and manufacturers, products and ideas from across the globe. Through the iconic design galleries, the RH Brand is seamlessly integrated with a world class hospitality experience, creating an immersive journey that is far more than a retail store and cannot be replicated online.

Opposite Page: RH , Gallery at the Historic Three arts Club Right: RH Boston, Gallery at the Historic Museum of Natural History

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 11 RH - Design Galleries 1.3.1

RH don’t build retail stores, they build inspiring spaces that are a reflection of human design, a study of balance, symmetry and perfect proportions. Design galleries are filled with fresh air and natural light, with garden courtyards and rooftop parks.

RH London will reflect a continuation of their quest to revolutionise physical retailing by bringing architecturally inspiring and immersive brand experiences to life. Spaces that blur the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality. Spaces that create emotional, physical connections in a world moving towards social digital connections. Spaces that activate all of the senses, and experiences that cannot be replicated online.

This is evident at RH New York, a six-story adaptive reuse of a historic brick building on an iconic corner in the Meatpacking District, with a rooftop restaurant, wine terrace, New York Night art installation by Alison Berger, and an interior design firm; and at RH Yountville, a five- building compound that is an integration of food, wine, art and design in the heart of the Napa Valley that respects and amplifies the local culture. Spaces that are a refuge from technology, serving to elevate humanity and create a sense of harmony in our world.

RH London will be a reflection of the latest thinking and best work to date, with a vision of creating the most innovative retail experience, in one of the most important cities in the world. It will be the result of curating the best people, products, ideas, and inspiration, then carefully integrating each, where the whole becomes more valuable than the parts. The brand will move beyond curating and selling products to conceptualising and selling spaces by building an ecosystem – The World of RH – of products, places, services and spaces that elevate and establish the RH brand as a global thought leader, style, and tastemaker.

Top: RH Gallery - Historic Museum of Natural History, Boston Bottom Right: RH Gallery - Yountville, Napa Valley Bottom Left: RH Gallery New York City.

12 RH - Hospitality 1.3.2

RH design galleries blur the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality. The first expression of the hospitality experience was unveiled at RH Chicago, The Gallery at the Three Arts Club, a historic building in Chicago’s famed Gold Coast, in 2015. Today, ten of the Design Galleries across the United States and Canada host a fully integrated hospitality experience, featuring ingredient-driven menus accompanied by a curated selection of artisanal wines and craft beers.

Following in the footsteps of the acclaimed hospitality experiences in Chicago and New York, the latter hailed by Forbes as “the perfect place to dine”, we now look to bring this innovative concept to London. With great admiration for the building’s history and architecture, the aim is to re-establish this landmark’s relevance by harmoniously incorporating artistic and aspirational home furnishing installations with an integrated hospitality concept unlike anything that exists in retail.

Top: RH Gallery - Columbus Ohio. Bottom Right: RH Gallery - Chicago Illinois. Bottom Middle and left: RH Gallery New York City.

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 13 RH - Interior Design 1.3.3

RH Interior Design uniquely positions RH as a leading interior design firm, demonstrating how the brand delivers value that transcends creating and selling products to conceptualising and selling spaces.

The Design Ateliers are creative work spaces inspired by the world’s leading architecture and design studios. They are a place to collaborate and ideate with our professional designers, who offer an unprecedented level of service, as well as explore RH’s vast library of design resources, including fabrics, leathers, and furniture and lighting finishes. RH London will integrate with the established design function for one off, unique and limited edition pieces of Saville Row. The Gallery will include an integrated, interactive RH Design Studio in its retail experience, featuring private client presentation rooms with state-of- the-art technology.

Top: RH Design Atelier - Beverly Hills Bottom Right: RH Design Atelier - Baby Bottom Left: RH Design Atelier - Chicago.

14 RH - Historic Portfolio 1.3.4

RH portfolio includes a number of significant historic buildings. All of which have been beautifully restored to celebrate the buildings heritage and architecture. Modern interventions are often introduced to the historic fabric to bring the building into the 21st Century to mark a new chapter in the buildings history. RH have won a number of awards along the way for conservation and architectural excellence for their RH Chicago, RH Boston and RH Greenwich Galleries.

Below are a number of their exisitng conservation projects,

• RH Chicago - The Gallery at the Historic Three Arts Club • RH Boston - The Gallery at the Museum of Natural History • RH Greenwich - The Gallery at the Historic Post Office • RH New York - The Gallery in the Historic Meatpacking District • RH Yountville - The Gallery in Napa Valley • RH San Francisco - The Gallery in the Historic National Register District (2020) • RH New Jersey - The Gallery at the Historic Alnwick Hall (2021)

Top Left: RH Gallery - Boston. Top Right: RH Gallery - New York City. Bottom Right: RH Gallery - Chicago. Bottom left: RH Gallery - Greenwich, CT.

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement G R E E N W I C H 15

Foster + Partners - Practice Philosophy 1.4

Foster + Partners has always been guided by a belief that the quality of our surroundings has a direct influence on the quality of our lives, whether that is in the workplace, at home or in the public realm. Allied to that is an acknowledgement that architecture is generated by the needs of people - both material and spiritual - and a concern for the physical context and the culture and climate of place. Equally, excellence of design and its successful execution are central to our approach.

We believe the best architecture comes from a synthesis of all the elements that separately comprise and inform the character of a building: the structure that holds it up; the services that allow it to function; its ecology; the quality of natural light; the symbolism of the form; the relationship of the building to the skyline or the streetscape; the way you move through or around it; and last but not least its ability to lift the spirits. This holistic approach is augmented by a strong commitment to the clients we serve, and to the public domain and the many users involved. A high degree of personal service, coupled with respect for the precious resources of cost and time, therefore characterises our client relationships.

The scale, diversity and global reach of our new projects were unimaginable 51 years ago, yet many of the issues that excited us in the early days continue to inform what we do today. We work in the spirit of enquiry, challenging preconceptions and testing conventions. The process of ‘reinvention’ distinguishes all our work – past and present – and rests on a duty to design well and to design responsibly – whether that is at the scale of an airport or a door handle. The last decades have witnessed key shifts in public attitudes to ecology and energy consumption. We have always anticipated these trends, pioneering design solutions that use totally renewable sources of energy and offer dramatic reductions in CO2 emissions. Environmental awareness is an integral part of the practice’s culture as it evolves to meet the challenges of the next fifty years.

Opposite Page: The Sackler Gallery at the (1991). Image: Foster + Partners Office. Battersea, London.

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 17 18 Foster + Partners - Relevant Experience 1.5

Foster + Partners have completed a wide range of projects in London with a diverse selection of clients. Many of these projects have been within conservation areas and involved modifications and alterations to Grade I and Grade II listed structures. Within the Mayfair Conservation Area, the Practice has designed four projects. One at the Royal Academy of Arts directly across 7 Burlington Gardens, the second Asprey’s on New and the recently completed Gabriela Hearst Flagship located on Brook Street. The practice has also designed a new hotel on Grafton Street which was consented in late 2019.

Within the wider borough of Westminster, Foster + Partners are currently engaged in a hotel in Mayfair, the redevelopment of Whiteleys in Queensway and in 2013 completed the award-winning ME Hotel on the corner of .

Opposite Page: Gabriela Hearst Flagship (2019). Top Left: Sackler Galleries at the Royal Academy of Arts (1991). Top Right: Grafton Hotel (2025). Bottom Left: Asprey Store (2004) Bottom Middle: Whiteleys (Current). Bottom right: ME Hotel (2013).

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 19

Site Context 2

Introduction 2.1

The application site is in central Mayfair, adjacent to the internationally recognised Royal Academy of Arts. As a whole, Mayfair is of outstanding architectural quality with a unique urban character. The site provides a rare opportunity for regeneration. It is bound by Burlington Gardens to the South, Old Burlington Street to the West and Savile Row to the East. The area is predominantly occupied by retail and cultural space, together with hotels and limited residential accommodation.

The following chapter will describe and analyse the site, its condition and characteristics and that of the surrounding area. This analysis has been carefully considered and has informed our approach to an architectural design that seeks to respond positively to both the constraints and the opportunities of the site.

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 23 •

City of Westminster

Site

24 Location 2.2

In its wider context, the project is located in the City of Westminster; an Inner London Borough that holds city status. The city is bounded by the River Thames to the south, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the west, the City of London to the east and the Borough of Camden to the north. The City of Westminster is divided 8 into a number of localities including the ancient political district of Westminster; the shopping areas around , , and Bond Street; and the night-time entertainment district of Soho.

The site is in the heart of Mayfair in the West End of London. The area is bounded by Hyde Park, and the busy shopping routes of Oxford Street and Regent 9 Street. Mayfair is an affluent area, distinctly known for its high-end retail, large number of luxury hotels and its affiliation with fine art. Local facilities and focal points include Savile Row, Old Bond Street, The Royal Academy as well as , St James and the Oxford Street.

The area around the site is mostly occupied by exclusive retail, art galleries and some restaurant offer at street level with residential and commerical office space at upper 6 levels.

Site 1

7 4 5

1. Piccadilly Circus 2. - St James Park 3. Green Park 4. Bond Street 5. The Royal Academy 6. Regent Street 3 7. Berkeley Square 8. Oxford Street 2 9. Soho

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 25 Urban Context 2.3

Mayfair is the jewel in the crown of the City of Westminster. The high-quality urban landscape should be the starting point for any development proposal and the distinct characteristics of each area should be enhanced. The Westminster City Plan states that a development should ‘raise the bar’ in terms of architectural quality.

The site is currently occupied by the retailer Abercrombie and Fitch in the lower floors of 7 Burlington Gardens and 1 Old Burlington Street with their offices above. 2 Old 3 Burlington Street is predominately a commercial office with a residential penthouse stretching across the top floor of all three buildings. 2 OLD BURLINGTON STREET Built in 1723 as a town mansion and remodeled in the late 18th Century, the architectural composition of the 7 Burlington Gardens facade is a fine example of English Palladianism and has a distinctive and elegant appearance set within a variety of architectural languages. The walk able area around the site is varied in its architecture. To the south of the site there is a prominent mix of historical character of varying topologies, scales and massing.

The following pages illustrate the existing character of the immediate context.

1 SAVILE ROW

BURLINGTON GARDENS

1. 7 Burlington Gardens 2. 1 Old Burlington Street 3. 2 Old Burlington Street

26 Urban Context 2.3

South of Regent Street, the Quadrant buildings sweep round to reveal direct views of the site on the intersection of Vigo Street and Glasshouse Street. At which point the scale of the approach to site becomes more intimate and focused, with varying architectural styles and materials including stone, brick and render. Smaller scale retail stores serve the narrowing street. Visibility of the site is restricted owing to the location with the main elevation facing onto Burlington Gardens. Arriving on the south east edge of Burlington Gardens reveals the site in its entirety. A grand and impressive elevation marking the start of Savile Row.

1. View looking west from Regent Street 2. View looking west on Vigo Street.

6. Savile Row Savile Old Burlington Street 11. 5. Regent Street New Bond Street 9. 12. 8. Burlington Gardens 4. 3. Vigo Street 10. 7. 2. 1.

Bond Street Bond 3. View looking west at the South Elevation of 7 Burlington Gardens. 4. View towards 7 Burlington Gardens on the corner of Savile Row.

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 27 Urban Context 2.3

East of the site is Savile Row, a historically rich, thriving street of tailors, it continues today as the heartland of British luxury tailoring. Here it is evident the later addition to 7 Burlington Gardens formed in brick and stone. When looking south back onto the site the road is characterised by significant street level engagement with pedestrians, views into the basement and Georgian townhouses.

The predominant focus of the site lies on the south with the view onto the front elevation. It is brick faced with Portland stone; a significant early Palladian design that was sensitively enlarged and adapted. The site sits opposite the impressive entrance to the Royal Academy of Arts, . The facade is also made of Portland stone with accents of pink sandstone, flanking archways and a centre piece of a colonnaded portico; highlighting the range of historic architectural features in the area.

5. View looking onto 7 Burlington Gardens on Savile Row. 6. View looking south along retail on Saville Row.

6. Savile Row Savile Old Burlington Street 11. 5. Regent Street New Bond Street 9. 12. 8. Burlington Gardens 4. 3. Vigo Street 10. 7. 2. 1. Bond Street Bond 7. View looking on to the south elevation of 7 Burlington Gardens. 8. View along Burlington Gardens looking west towards Bond Street.

28 Urban Context 2.3

Old Burlington Street meets perpendicular to Burlington Gardens marking the western boundary of the site. This street is strongly characterised with Georgian architectural features with many heritage elements. On the opposite corner, 1 Old Burlington Street is a modern office building. At the ground floor it houses a reputable and incredibly popular Mayfair restaurant named Cecconi’s.

The entrance to 1 Old Burlington Street is identified by the stone portico and as you move to the north, the street is delineated by Georgian terraces over five storeys.

Burlington Gardens is currently used as a means of connection between Regent Street and Bond Street. The recent renovations at the Royal Academy of Arts connecting Piccadilly through to Burlington Gardens has helped increased footfall.

9. View looking north on Old Burlington Street. 10. View on the corner of Burlington Gardens and Old Burlington Street.

6. Savile Row Savile Old Burlington Street 11. 5. Regent Street New Bond Street 9. 12. 8. Burlington Gardens 4. 3. Vigo Street 10. 7. 2. 1. Bond Street Bond 11. View from Old Burlington Street onto 1 & 2 Old Burlington Street. 12. View from The Royal Academy, Burlington Gardens looking east.

RH London | 7 Burlington Gardens, 1 - 2 Old Burlington Street | Design & Access Statement 29