Camden Council’s planning committee has unanimously resolved to grant planning permission for the refurbishment of EDGE Shaftesbury, also referred to as the 125 Shaftesbury Avenue scheme, a major office-led scheme in the heart of Central London, being delivered by Edge and Mitsubishi Estate London.
The refurbishment will transform the existing 1980s structure into a 250,000 sq. ft (NIA) modern office building with an enlivened reception on Charing Cross Road and significant terracing throughout. Situated on a 1.2-acre freehold site just south of Tottenham Court Road station, with direct access to the Elizabeth, Central and Northen Lines, the building occupies one of London’s most vibrant and well-connected locations.
Previously home to leading companies including BT, Yahoo, Meta and WeWork, EDGE Shaftesbury has long attracted innovation-driven occupiers. Throughout the design period the building has been occupied by You Me Bum Bum Train, an immersive theatre show created by Kate Bond and Morgan Lloyd which has been hailed as one of London’s most unique theatre experiences and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity War Child. Bow Arts has also provided affordable art studios and exhibition spaces in part of the unused building.
Designed by London-based architectural and urban design practice DSDHA, the innovative scheme focuses on wellbeing, connectivity and sustainability, aiming to create a modern workplace that meets the changing needs of London’s businesses.
As part of the approved plans, Caxton Walk, a new pedestrian route connecting New Compton Street and Old Compton Street, will activate currently underutilised areas and improve local permeability. The surrounding public realm will be enhanced with new paving, planting and lighting thereby creating a safer, greener and more inviting space for the community and future occupants.
Sustainability is central to Edge’s vision, with the building targeting BREEAM Excellent. Approximately 75% of the existing structure will be retained to significantly reduce embodied carbon. The scheme will also incorporate green roofs, biodiversity-enhancing planting and will repurpose materials wherever possible, aligning with Edge and Mitsubishi’s respective commitments to achieving absolute Net Zero by 2050.
Fons van Dorst, Managing Director UK at Edge, said: “We’re pleased to have received planning permission for our innovative scheme EDGE Shaftesbury. This project is an important milestone in our London portfolio and will create a high-quality, sustainable office building in a central West End location. We’re looking forward to working with Mitsubishi Estate London to deliver a building that supports modern ways of working and adds real value to the local area.”
Shinichi Kagitomi, Chief Executive of Mitsubishi Estate London, added: “It is well established that the west end office market is currently chronically under-supplied. This approval will be welcomed by the occupier community, and we are looking forward to delivering much-needed new office space – and a major rejuvenation of an existing building – right in the heart of the west end.”
Deborah Saunt, Founding Director at DSDHA, commented: “Our extensive retrofit of 125 Shaftesbury Avenue will be an exemplary model of both sustainable refurbishment and socially and historically responsive architecture, and one that both responds to and enhances its unique context. A distinctive, permeable and inviting public realm is integral to our ambition for the site, and it will strongly support and connect to Camden Council’s wider biodiversity initiatives and network of new pedestrian routes, as well as providing extensive external amenity for tenants.”
The project builds on Edge’s expanding portfolio of sustainable office developments in the capital, such as EDGE London Bridge and EDGE Liverpool Street, while showcasing Mitsubishi Estate London’s continued investment in London’s most progressive commercial spaces.