A rich selection of finely tuned amenities for residents is now almost a given for any self-respecting luxury development; yet there’s always one that truly pushes the boat out and offers something that the others don’t. Such is the case with London’s iconic Centre Point development – the UK capital’s famed tower, which has been recently transformed from neglected brutalist office building to coveted, contemporary residential scheme that bridges old and new through a sensitive restoration by developers Almacantar and design studio Conran and Partners that respects its original modernist spirit.
The high rise, which was designed by Swiss-born architect Richard Seifert and completed in 1966, had long been a poster-development for ill-fated modernism. For all its architectural merits – its forward-thinking structure in terms of engineering was made of state-of-the-art, pre-cast structural components – it remained sadly underused and largely unoccupied for decades, until Almacantar bought it in 2010.
Now, after a highly anticipated face lift and with some 82 apartments, the 34-storey office tower has been converted for residential use, featuring apartment interiors by Conran and Partners and Morpheus; and its residential offerings come with a carefully curated and designed facilities spaces for residents to boot.
There’s a club lounge, which all residents can use to sit, relax and party, as well as a book-able private dinning area; there’s also a spa and a screen room, which can transform and adapt into various configurations. Perhaps the most striking feature however, is the swimming pool. This not only is an impressive 30m long, but it also allows for natural light to seep in from discreet windows and views out into Oxford Street below – which is a rarity for central London.
‘Our design invites residents to be both observers of – and participants in – the city’, says Tim Bowder-Ridger, senior partner at Conran and Partners, who worked on the project. ‘Protected from the hectic activity of life at street level, they can experience a strong sense of tranquillity in the very heart of London.’
Contemporary design that feels modern (but also welcome and homely) is prioritised throughout, with customised details, pieces of furniture and cabinetry making the experience truly bespoke and seamless. At the same time, the spaces are dotted with specially commissioned installations by renowned artists such as Richard Wentworth, Conrad Shawcross, Gavin Turk, and Ceryth Wyn Evans which elevates the interiors to match the calm and tranquillity of a home with the high aesthetic and cultural references of the Centre Point Residences’ savvy owners. §
