In the heart of Westminster, London, a former Victorian-era warehouse for the Army & Navy Cooperative Society Ltd. has been painstakingly restored. The warehouse had fallen into disrepair and obscurity. Led by London-based architectural studio SPPARC, the project breathes new life into the historic building.
The refurbished 90,000-square-foot Greycoat Stores is now a flagship mixed-use development. SPPARC has revived the building’s original Victorian charm, particularly through the reintroduction of its previously lost red brick facade.
Restoring the original brickwork
Designed by the prolific British architect Sir Reginald Blomfield, the warehouse at 10 Greycoat Place was originally built in 1899 and used as a warehouse by the Army & Navy Cooperative Society. In 1959, it was converted into offices, with the renovation work altering much of the structure’s Victorian character. The original brickwork was rendered and the building’s frieze was removed, giving the warehouse a more utilitarian appearance.
To restore the building’s historic facade, SPPARC specified Charnwood Handmade Red Multi brick by Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC for its aesthetic qualities. However, this particular brick is no longer in production. SPPARC therefore worked with Michelmersh to source reclaimed stock of the brick, thereby maintaining the project’s original design intent and contributing to its sustainability. The brick is laid on prefabricated panels, echoing the Victorian warehouse aesthetic while improving build efficiency.
Restoration features
SPPARC retained many of the original warehouse features, such as the exposed steel beams and brickwork, creating a pleasing industrial aesthetic. New features include double-height oval windows with finely detailed bronze frames that flood the interior with natural light. A row of circular windows punctuates the building’s fifth storey, framed by a generous cornice. These windows demarcate the new zinc and glass roof extension.
At the front of Greycoat Stores, a series of stepped brick piers terminate at refurbished granite Doric columns on the ground floor. Curved precast spandrel panels are set between traditionally hand-laid brick pilasters. The precise alignment of brick courses, both horizontally and vertically, establishes a unified and harmonious architectural rhythm.
The use of sculptural timber panels on the ground floor interior creates a warm and welcoming entrance in the reception area. The lift lobby’s arched brickwork continues the ornate pattern of the building’s exterior.
Mixed-use development
Greycoat Stores comprises seven above-ground storeys and a basement: the original five-storey Victorian warehouse plus a new two-storey roof extension with terraces. The building’s ground floor features a reception, cafe, restaurant, and gym reception. The upper ground floor houses office space. The basement contains a gym, 190 bicycle spaces, showers, and lockers. Floors one to five include premium office spaces while the sixth and seventh floors house workspaces and terraces.
Greycoat Stores has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating and a WiredScore Platinum rating for its digital connectivity. This makes it a smart, digitally robust, and future-resilient workspace.
“Drawing on extensive research of both the building’s own architectural history and the area’s rich surrounding heritage landscape, our sensitive, yet ambitious restoration, will allow Greycoat Stores to stand as a focal point on this important Westminster junction once again,” says Trevor Morriss, Principal at SPPARC.
