One Sherwood Street
One Sherwood Street, a prestigious redevelopment project, unfolded behind London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights. Employed by developer Landsec, our scope encompassed a range of critical works, including demolition, façade retention, piling, and substructure construction.
From humble light-bulb text to neon signage and digital projectors, it evolved into full LED screens by 2011. In 2017, Europe’s most technically advanced screen graced this iconic landmark. Landsec, who has owned the building since 1968, commenced the development of the iconic landmark to provide a scheme combining office and retail space.
99.8%
recycling rate
120
operatives at peak
3204m2
site area
The site hosted a diverse range of structures, from Victorian brickwork with timber floors to 1960s reinforced concrete constructions. The location, an island site, posed logistical challenges for demolition. Mitigation strategies included robotic demolition, top-down approaches, large machinery, and manual demolition—all executed around live shops and the sensitive Piccadilly Lights.
In addition, the job involved the meticulous deconstruction of listed facades and cataloguing of the structure for future reinstatement. Façade retention was ingeniously designed and installed to support the iconic Piccadilly Lights. Demolition behind the lights proceeded seamlessly, avoiding any incidents that could jeopardise the lights or advertising. There was a risk of hefty penalties for damage to the lights and loss of advertising had any incidents occurred.
The works took place above Barclays bank, Boots Pharmacy, Gap, Jamie’s Italian and in close proximity to Piccadilly Theatre. The Boots in Piccadilly Circus is the busiest branch in the UK, and Barclays is the busiest branch for cash dispersals. Another challenge was the fact that Piccadilly Circus London Underground Station was adjacent to the site and the escalator barrel dove under the site.
4D animations were used to clearly demonstrate the methodology and sequence of works for the client, project team, local stakeholders, and workforce to promote a better understanding of the complex nature of the site. Liaison with third parties – Crown Estates, Ham Yard Hotel, retained tenants, Met Police, Westminster Council, TFL, London Buses, CCS, local residents and heritage specialists – was essential throughout.
One Sherwood Street stands as a testament to meticulous planning, innovation, and collaborative spirit in the heart of London’s bustling landscape.
“At One Sherwood Street, otherwise known as Lucent, Erith have been nothing but fully engaged and wholly collaborative. Their selection for the project was based on smart logic and flexibility of approach. They engaged with all parts of the team and the third party stakeholders during the PCSA stage, undertaking thorough and details planning which created the best conditions for the success in the demolition and substructure phases. The Erith management team have been positive and proactive throughout.”
Warren Alexander-Pye
Director Landsec
