• c£197m Skanska contract will deliver new build world leading offices at 60 Brook Street and 56 Davies Street.
• The premium Grade A offices, partly set behind historic façades, will be delivered alongside vibrant ground floor activations and the refurbishment of an historic pub.
• Completion targeted for Summer 2027.

The joint venture (JV) between Grosvenor and Mitsui Fudosan UK has today announced that Skanska has been appointed as the main contractor to lead the delivery of its 267,000 sq. ft scheme at South Molton.

The scheme encompasses two exceptional new office buildings at 60 Brook Street and 56 Davies Street and restoration of the Running Horse Pub, together with ground floor retail, restaurants, cafés and a basement gym.

At the heart of the West End’s largest mixed-use development, 56 Davies Street and 60 Brook Street, comprising 71,000 sq. ft and 78,000 sq. ft respectively, are set to become two of Mayfair’s finest new build offices.

The state-of-the-art offices will feature world-class office design and facilities, including large modern floorplates, roof terraces, outstanding amenities and leading environmental credentials. At ground level, they will be activated by a dynamic mix of retail and food and beverage outlets alongside attractive, greener streets.

Designed to complement the distinctive character of Mayfair, 56 Davies Street and 60 Brook Street will feature a mix of new and existing façades.

At 56 Davies Street alone, 4,750 blocks of Portland stone totalling 550 tonnes have been carefully disassembled and are set to be reconditioned and reused, providing part of the new Grade A office with an attractive and historic stone exterior.

The Running Horse, which will undergo an extensive refurbishment and extension, is set to benefit from additional dining space and six new guest bedrooms.

Skanska has been working with the Grosvenor and Mitsui Fudosan UK JV since October 2022 to evolve the design and construction methodology for South Molton, including identifying sustainability and carbon reduction strategies.  This process has reduced steel usage by 200 tonnes, with the re-use of existing steel elements, pre-fabrication of façades and in situ construction of the concrete base slab all contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.

In line with the sustainability commitments of Grosvenor and Mitsui Fudosan UK, the project will target carbon savings in operation and construction, minimising embodied carbon and waste wherever possible, with offsetting strategies in place to ensure the development is net zero at practical completion.

Enabling works started onsite in November 2023 via McGee and are progressing at pace. Skanska will now lead the delivery of the project, including enabling works, installation of the mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) systems and data network, with all phases of South Molton on track to complete in Summer 2027.

Rachel Dickie, Executive Director of Investment and Development, Grosvenor said:

“We have made superb progress at South Molton since works started last year. Appointing Skanska as the main contractor is an exciting milestone for the project, continuing the momentum and providing certainty of delivery.”

“The opportunity to deliver this scale of new, world-class offices in Mayfair is exceptionally rare. Benefiting from the new amenities and public spaces we’re creating at South Molton, they are set to be some of the capital’s most prestigious addresses.”

Tatsu Imamura, Executive Director, Mitsui Fudosan UK said:

“South Molton is a development of exceptional design and quality and we are delighted that construction is now being taken forward and the scheme will be delivered over the next few years.  When complete, it will be one of central London’s premier commercial developments, while also providing significant benefits to the wider community it serves.”

Terry Muckian, Managing Director for Skanska UK’s building division said:

“We have enjoyed a fantastically collaborative working relationship with the Grosvenor and Mitsui Fudosan UK JV team over the past two years. This has led to a design and method of construction that both reduces carbon and de-risks programme delivery in what is a complex working environment in the heart of London’s West End.

“We have a long history and deep understanding of the London commercial office market and we are delighted to be continuing this with South Molton.

“South Molton is an exciting development for this internationally recognised part of London and I know our team are really looking forward to playing their part in bringing it to life.”

Find out more about South Molton here.