Watch House
Key Details
Overview
Watch House on Berwick Street is a mixed-use building in Soho, London W1.
Part of the development of the Kemp House on Berwick Street, which created a hub by Premier Inn Soho London, 12 new private apartments (Watch House), 4 family-sized affordable apartments, a residents’ roof garden and a new retail destination comprising 12 shops for independent retail and F & B businesses, as well as a Co-op supermarket.
In 2017, the twelve apartments for sale were completed. Ten of these have private terraces. Interior Design by Create Interior Design.
The 0,55ha (2,226m2) site is bounded by Berwick Street to the east, Peter Street to the south, Hopkins Street to the west and Kemp Court to the north.
History
The name of the development, Watch House, is a nod to the 17th century (1687-1703) when French Huguenot immigrants developed a watch-making and silver smithing industry in the area.
Berwick Street Market earned a reputation for selling a bewildering variety of fruit and vegetables in the 1890s after many immigrants, including Greeks and Italians, had opened eating houses serving their native cuisines and as the market traders attempted to supply the ingredients.
In 1880 tomatoes first appeared in London at Berwick Street Market, followed by grapefruit in 1890.
The bohemian writer Virginia Woolf regularly frequented Berwick Street Market to buy 'flawed slightly' silk stockings. Berwick Street is featured in her writing, and she described Soho as a space 'filled with fierce light' and 'raw' voices.
2017 - The former Kemp House - a three-storey podium block with a basement level and a 17-storey tower - is redeveloped. Comm Comm UK supports construction communications and managing strategic relations with local stakeholders throughout the project.
2014 June - Planning permission for PMB Holdings for a new urban hotel, 12 new private apartments, four new affordable homes for families and 13 updated retail units.
Berwick Street was the location for the cover shoot of the 1995 Oasis album ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory’ and T-Rex front man Marc Bolan worked on his mum’s stall on Berwick Street market in the 1960s.
In 1980s, Berwick Street became a destination for vinyl record collectors when it was known as ‘The Golden Mile of Vinyl’.
References:
1. Westminster Council westminster.gov.uk
2. Design and Access Statement by Latitude Architects 2013; Planning application ref no 13/12007/FULL.
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Disclaimer
Information on this page is for guidance only and remains subject to change. Buildington does not sell or let this property. For more information about this property please register your interest on the original website or get in touch with the Connected Companies.