Foster + Partners completes restoration of The Whiteley in London

Foster + Partners has completed the transformation of The Whiteley, a historic Grade II listed department store located in Bayswater, London. Developed by Valouran in partnership with investors MARK and C C Land, the project converts the 1911 landmark into a 105,734-square-meter mixed-use complex.

The redevelopment integrates retail, restaurants, leisure facilities, a hotel, and 139 residential apartments. The architectural intervention focused on restoring the building's original character, which had been obscured by 20th-century modifications. Key restoration work includes the Portland stone facade, the clock tower, and a glass dome on the north side that fulfills the original design intent. Historical elements such as the original entrance wall, statues, and the listed staircase have been preserved and relocated.

To enhance public engagement, the project introduces a new retail arcade along Queensway Parade and a central planted courtyard designed to bring natural light into the development. The project aims for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, emphasizing sustainable and inclusive urban design.