The head of the Savile Row tailors’ association today said he was “shocked and horrified” by Westminster council officers’ recommendation to reject plans to demolish an empty police station and replace it with a new building that would include an academy for apprentice tailors.
Mark Henderson, chair of Savile Row Bespoke and a former chair of Royal warrant holder Gieves & Hawke, said the proposed office, restaurant and affordable tailoring workspace scheme from Czech developer CPI Property would revitalise the northern end of one of the world’s most famous addresses.
He told the Standard: “It seems such a shame to have this derelict building that is only fit to use as prison at the top of the street. That is the view you get of Savile Row from Regent Street.”
The developers want to completely demolish the police station at 27 Savile Row and build a new mixed use development
Anda Rowland of Anderson Sheppard Tailors said: “As you move towards the police station, its overwhelming sadness and heaviness is a deterrent to foot traffic. I cannot imagine anything that building is suitable for other than the local prison. There is no light, the ceiling heights are very bad, and the basement area is truly terrifying.”
“There is new energy on Savile Row, and we need new energy on the northern end of the street – that is what the redevelopment of 27 Savile Row would bring.”
“Henigman, the development manager for the project on behalf of the building owner, Savile Row 1 Limited, has submitted plans that promise to deliver a sustainable building of the highest architectural quality, as well as significant economic benefits through the creation of new jobs and public realm improvements - the design will re-use up to 95% of the existing façade in the new building.”
The police station at 27 Savile Row was purpose built in 1940 but has stood empty since 2021 when it was bought by CPI. It is best known for dispatching officers to shut down The Beatles’ rooftop concert in January 1969.
But in their report on the proposal, which has had 100 letters of support, officers said the public benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the “harmful impact” of the new building on views of the Regent Street and Mayfair conservation areas.
A final decision will be taken by the council’s major planning committee on 14 May.
