Smithson Plaza, Economist Building London Renovation, 25 St James’s Street Refurbishment, Architect
Smithson Plaza
Renewal of British 1960s Architecture, St James, central London, England, UK
12 June 2018
Smithson Plaza – The Economist Building Refurbishment
The Economist Building Renovation
Smithsons? iconic Grade II* Economist Plaza renamed in honour of its original architects
International real estate developer, Tishman Speyer, completes the first phase of renovation at 23-27 St James?s Street, Alison and Peter Smithson?s last remaining building in London.
The Grade II*-listed complex, previously known as ?The Economist Plaza? was originally home to The Economist Magazine which commissioned and occupied it for more than half a century.
Photos © Grant Smith
Under Tishman Speyer?s stewardship, the estate is undergoing a substantial refurbishment and is being renamed ?Smithson Plaza? to celebrate the acclaimed architectural duo.
The first phase renovation works, which will complete in spring, consists of upgrading the buildings and the plaza to deliver a renewed destination and prime office space for St James?s while reconnecting with the Smithsons? original design.
Smithson Plaza was designed and built between 1960 and 1964 and is widely recognised as a triumph of post-war Brutalist architecture. The scheme?s significance is founded on its urban contribution, as much as that of the individual buildings. The three buildings arranged around a raised plaza c...