45 Mortimer St
London W1
Client: Great Portland Estates
This was our first new build development (from an external shell by AFR) for Great Portland Estates. This 8640 sq m development to Cat A, including reception and common parts over 6 floors, has been a great success; with 5575 sq m let prior to launch.
A luxury hotel ambience is conveyed by the comfortable seating areas within reception, shown here, framed by the hand notched solid walnut panels running the length of the wall behind.
The design is defined by its striking reception and atrium with part glazed bridges linking the floors and distributing the light throughout the space with dramatic effect.
The reception is flooded with light, both from the atrium and from the large curved frontage on to Wells St and Mortimer St. The bush hammered limestone reception desk with integrated vase and illuminated fluorescent slot detail is offset by the backdrop of hand stitched leather panels.
MoreySmith's review of the overall development identified the need for a new entrance location (from that gained at planning stage) and introduced a second reception lobby linking a new external courtyard.
'MoreySmith has given us a world-class interior. The success of
the design is proved by the high demand for the space - 60,887
sq ft of office space was let in February 2009 to New Look and
a further 26,000 sq ft is now under offer, leaving only 7,000 sq ft
on the fifth floor available. In the current market this is an
incredible achievement, which supports the view that good
design is a valuable investment, especially in the economic
downturn.'
Neil Thompson
Great Portland Estates
The 30mm thick triple interlayer glass bridge creates a huge sense of light and space within the atrium, juxtaposed with the warmth of the adjacent timber flooring. An injection of colour is provided by the artwork; Blown Fuses, captured on photographic paper by Hitoshi Kuriyama; which stretches up through all 6 floors, linking the whole building.