A much-loved retail landmark, fully restored and extended to attract new, non-City businesses.

The iconic Grade II listed department store, originally constructed in 1910, had served as a focal point for the neighbourhood until falling into disrepair with the liquidation of Debenhams in 2020. Recognising the historic building's value to the community, the project has restored and expanded the building, introducing a high-quality, workspace for around 1000 people, and breathing new life into this cherished landmark.

The scheme peeled away decades of retail fixtures and fittings to expose original features such as brick and stone walls, a spectacular stained-glass dome and a large barrel-vaulted stained-glass roof, which had been concealed by many layers of paint.

Making the transition from dilapidated department store to Grade A office space required complex intervention work. Opening up the department store’s constricted upper floors allowed for multiple configurations of the floorplates and for additional uses to be introduced in the future. To improve daylight penetration, windows on the building’s internal walls were created, served by a dramatic central lightwell.

The project also added a new, 8-meter 'crown' at the top, providing access to a new rooftop terrace with panoramic views of London.

Extensive public consultations ensured the community's voice shaped the building's future. With over 1,000 responses Arding & Hobbs has been revitalised into a community asset.

A range of retail and leisure uses accounting for around 30% of the total floorspace now occupy the basement, ground, and first floors, including a gym, Italian delicatessen, and a large corner café/restaurant, alongside a pre-existing clothing retailer which continued trading throughout the refurbishment.

"Arding & Hobbs was simply too beautiful to let go – let alone the waste of embodied carbon that would come from demolition. So, working with Stiff & Trevillion and a host of other experts, we worked to not only restore the building to its former glory, but reposition this important asset in a desirable location into a mix of offices and high street retail.
The building is now home to an all-day café, Italian deli, and a gym. And, most importantly, it turned into an inspiring work environment where people can feel a sense of pride and connection, as opposed to soulless cookie-cutter offices.
There are assets just like this all across the UK, often department stores or other buildings which no longer serve their purpose but are too good to let go. Creative repositioning can unlock these assets and bring our town centres back to life." Sasha Lewin, W.RE