New Bond Street, London

Forming a New Bond

Creating the right impression at a mixed gathering is tricky. Too loud or wacky and you won’t be invited again – too quiet or bland and no-one notices you’re even there. At the newly redeveloped No. 50, New Bond Street in Mayfair, the work completed by Shaws of Darwen stands out for all the right reasons.

As part of a larger scheme incorporating sections of St. George Street and other connected street facades with listed buildings, Shaws worked closely with urban workplace specialists Eric Parry Architects to create the eye-catching exterior of a flagship commercial property on New Bond Street.

The project client – a leading UK financial institution – had previously worked with the architect on two successful developments in the city, so the design team was trusted to create a statement facade to separate it from other run-of-the-mill office buildings. Shaws of Darwen’s contributions resulted in a visually striking building, combining aesthetics and functionality.

The vertical ‘fins’ that run the length of the building, between the suspended bay windows, are made from several asymmetric architectural blocks in glazed terracotta. These create lines that divide the equally spaced windows, zigzagging along the building’s frontage and drawing the eye upwards to the top of the building where they appear to continue beyond the top, protruding above the street-facing roofline. As well as good looks, they also offer shading and screening between the bays.

The Perfect Blend

In a development concerned with achieving appropriate balances in a restricted environment, Shaws were an ideal choice. Residential and commercial, subtle and striking, traditional and innovative – all these elements are accommodated by the scheme. By combining distinctive design with high-quality craftsmanship in visually arresting fashion, Shaws of Darwen have brought a great deal to the party.