London Fire Brigade HQ Building – Headquarters

London Fire Brigade HQ, Architect, Albert Embankment Building, Residential Development

London Fire Brigade Headquarters : Extension

Mixed-use Architecture on the Albert Embankment – design by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands

23 Sep 2008

London Fire Brigade Headquarters Extension

Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands to celebrate history in redesign of London Fire Brigade HQ

Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands has been appointed by London developer Native Land to refurbish and extend the iconic headquarters of the London Fire Brigade at Albert Embankment, SE1, including its working fire station, creating a 400,000 sq ft residential-led, mixed-use development.

The project, with a value of £275 million, was the subject of a limited competition involving several developer architect/consultant teams. The winning strategy retains and refurbishes the 1930s riverside building with its working fire station beneath. Also retained is the memorial hall – a particularly poignant piece of Fire Brigade history commemorating those who gave their lives in service. To the north and east of the Embankment building are two new buildings that reach out to either side of the existing practice tower; this arrangement completes a courtyard which is to be a working drill yard visible from the apartments surrounding. Again this builds on the history of the headquarters which, from inception, had a large gallery for visitors to view firemen at their practice sessions.

To the east of this courtyard development is a site currently largely occupied by a single storey garage servicing fire appliances. This is to be replaced by a number of buildings with residential accommodation set above commercial/employment uses. Another smaller site beyond the railway lines is intended for purely residential development.

Alex Lifschutz comments: ”Our intention is to create a new, vibrant, neighbourhood drawing on the remarkable history of the area and its long association with the Fire Brigade. There are parallels with our scheme for London Fire Brigade HQ Wharf, also centred around an underused riverside building, which has now become a much appreciated piece of London’s urban fabric”

Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive at Native Land comments: “We’re delighted to be working with a fine architectural practice in Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. Its first class track record is well suited to designing a refurbishment scheme to compliment the local area and provide a catalyst for further regeneration.”

London Fire Brigade HQ Development – Building Information

Structural engineering: Waterman
Mechanical and Electrical: Hoare Lee
Planning consultants: DP9
Quantity Surveyors: ECHarris
Highways: Capita Symonds

London Fire Brigade HQ design : Lifschutz Davidson Architects

Location: Albert Embankment, London SE1

London, England, UK

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Design: BDP, Architects
Old Kent Road Fire Station Building
picture from architects
London Fire Station Buildings
A consortium led by Kier has reached financial close to design, build and maintain nine ageing fire stations across south-east and east London. The Blue 3 consortium, which employed the services of BDP’s architects, will deliver the programme for the London Fire Brigade under the Private Finance Initiative and maintain the stations for 28 years.

London Buildings

Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands

Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands is an award-winning firm of architects and urban designers, responsible for extensive and long-standing work on the regeneration of London’s South Bank, and for London landmarks such as the Hungerford Footbridge, Royal Victoria Dock Bridge and London Fire Brigade HQ Wharf.

Native Land

Native Land is developing over £400 million of high quality apartments across central London, with a focus on city fringe locations.

In addition to 8 Albert Embankment, Native Land is working on the high-profile ‘Project Bankside‘, a joint venture with Grosvenor, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. The scheme, which overlooks the River Thames and is adjacent to Tate Modern and its proposed ‘TM2’ extension, is one of the most coveted residential development sites in London. Work has started on site and first completion is due in late 2010.

Native Land was also involved in a second joint venture with Grosvenor completed in summer 2007. 10 Montrose Place near Belgrave Square on the Grosvenor Estate is one of central London’s most exclusive addresses. The scheme, which is 100% sold, comprises 18 new build “Manhattan-style” apartments.

Native Land, which is part owned by Buccleuch Property, is a residential and mixed-use developer, formed in 2003 by Alasdair Nicholls and Jonathan Mantovani, formerly managing director and acquisitions director respectively of Taylor Woodrow Capital Developments Ltd.

Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands

Oxo Tower London – redeveloped by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
London Fire Brigade HQ London
photograph © Adrian Welch

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