The Project

100-106 High Street Kensington was built opposite High Street Kensington Underground in 1860 originally as a residential dwelling. It was bought and developed by the Metropolitan Railway in 1871 to unify the building behind a common façade. More recently, however, the premises had been used as a four-story commercial building.

PBC Scope

PBC was appointed to provide Project Management and Contract Administration services for the demolition of the existing building and formation of an aesthetically sensitive and innovatively designed new-build, mixed-use scheme behind the retained façade (unlisted). The project included construction of three new shell and core retail units and 7000 sq.ft. of CAT A office space. It also included the construction of four ‘Scandinavian-inspired’ residential apartments with 4,000 sq.ft. of living space occupying the top two levels of the new building.  Set back from the road, and with an additional floor inserted in the extended, setback mansard roof, the apartments include a 130 m2 penthouse on the fourth floor with a roof terrace and unparalleled views over West London.

As the site is directly over the District Line – in such close proximity that the existing retail unit was built directly off the brick arches of the tunnel just 100mm below – the project was technically challenging. The site was also land-locked, surrounded by busy roads, retail and residential properties, so required road closures and a gantry over the main High Street during the new-build works.  The Covid 19 lockdowns also significantly affected the build timescale.

Throughout the project, which is now completed, PBC worked closely with the design, construction and fit-out teams which included PDP London Architects, Davie Maguire, Atelier Ten, Knowles and Stanway Interiors to deliver this highly successful development.