dla

22-24 Bruton Place

Where history meets Net Zero

4,500 ft² office 1,000 ft² retail
Re-use, Workplace
4,500 ft² office 1,000 ft² retail
Re-use, Workplace
Berkeley Estate Asset Management
Architecture and Interior Design
Design

01 Introduction

Retain refurbish extend

This project involves the sensitive refurbishment and extension of 22-24 Bruton Place to create a high-end commercial workspace with ground-floor retail. Located within the Mayfair Conservation Area, the development focuses on maintaining the character of the street while achieving sustainability goals, including a Net Zero carbon target.

The proposal aims to reposition the building while optimizing site use in this prime West End location. A carefully designed mansard roof extension will seamlessly blend with the historic streetscape, adding 30% more net office space. Additionally, converting an unused garage into retail space will expand the lettable area, while an enhanced exterior will contribute positively to the vibrancy and character of the street. High-quality interiors will breathe new life into the building, positioning it among the most sought-after spaces in the area.

The existing building presents a modest design, encompassing three stories: a ground floor and two upper levels. While the structure boasts good bones, it requires refurbishment, as key components such as windows, services, and interior finishes have reached the end of their usable life.
Street Elevation Over the past six years, DLA has breathed new life into several properties on Bruton Place, transforming outdated spaces into highly desirable boutique offices and retail units, all while preserving the unique character of the area. This revitalization also includes food and beverage establishments aimed at fostering a vibrant pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Proposed Folded Mansard Roof Extension The folded mansard roof extension is smartly designed to resemble a traditional mansard when seen from the street, allowing it to fit in seamlessly with the historic surroundings. Instead of a flat middle section, there's an extra fold, which creates a unique vaulted interior space. This design also brings in plenty of natural north light through several rooflights, without causing excessive heat inside. The additional fold is replaced with a sunken flat section in parts, to hide rooftop plant from view.

02 contextual design

Unique yet contextual

The design takes inspiration from Bruton Place’s rich history, specifically the craftsmanship that once thrived in the workshops along the street. This legacy of bespoke, hand-crafted goods now finds expression in the boutique, curated retail spaces that line Bruton Place, evoking a sense of timeless quality.

As part of a broader regeneration initiative, this proposal is the fourth projects delivered by DLA for the street. While each project is unique, they share subtle unifying elements, such as cohesive building signage. A key design motif—the elegant chevron—has been drawn from the historic Grade II-listed stables along the street. Originally seen on the stable doors, this chevron pattern has been incorporated into the branding for Bruton Place and is subtly echoed in the trowelled render of the ground-floor elevation, adding both texture and ornamentation that nods to the area’s heritage.

Grade II listed coach house
Original chevron motif
Motif reinterpreted for the street branding

03 material development

Traditional with a twist

The material palette for the scheme references traditional materials found along the street—brick, render, glazed brick, zinc, timber, and metal Crittall-style windows. These materials are reinterpreted in a contemporary manner to create a fresh, modern aesthetic that remains sympathetic to the Conservation Area’s character. The “twist” lies in the innovative application, such as trowelled render or vertically stacked glazed brick. This approach honours traditional craftsmanship while making a bold statement within sustainable design principles, ensuring the project feels both unique and rooted in its local context.

04 climate leadership

Climate focused

The project has sustainability agenda at its heart. The development will retain and refurbish the existing concrete structure and brick façade and upgrade thermal envelope beyond Part L requirements. The roof extension will be constructed in Glulam beams and timber joists to reduce embodied carbon emissions.

Efficient building services including an air source heat pump will set the building to achieve an EPC A rating. The scheme is targeting Net Zero both in terms of the upfront embodied carbon and operationally in use.

05 project progress

What's next?

DLA, on behalf of our client BEAM, has secured planning permission for the retrofit and extension of no. 22-24 Bruton Place. It was approved unanimously at the committee meeting, where the submission was praised for its high-quality design.

The project is now rapidly progressing through design stages with anticipated start on site date in 2025.

Project team

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