Advertisement

Derelict Piccadilly Circus Rooftops To Be Revamped For First Time Since 1950s

The derelict space behind the famous illuminated signs in Piccadilly Circus is set to be renovated as part of a major new development.

Architects Fletcher Priest won a contract to redesign the rooftop space of the iconic London location, which will include offices, shops and apartments.

The rooftop space behind the famous advertising boards has been empty for nearly 60 years.

A concept drawing shows the angular ceramic tiled roof (Fletcher Priest/Dbox)

Over the years, a series of designs has failed to win planning permission leaving the building dated and in need of renovation.

In 2012 Europe’s largest property company, Land Securities, asked architects Fletcher Priest to come up with a plan to renovate the unused areas without ruining the look of the famous London landmark.

A sketch of what the new roof area will look like (Fletcher Priest)

The futuristic new roof is set to extend up from the existing buildings, some of which date back as far as 1910.

The development will feature a ‘geometric skin of ceramic tiles’ and will include angular windows and rooftop terraces.

The famous ‘Piccadilly Lights’ are considered to be one of the world’s most desirable advertising locations with 767 square metres of illuminated ad space and an audience of 2 million people every week.

The busy Piccadilly Circus interchange in the 1960s (Fletcher Priest)

Piccadilly Circus was once filled with buildings boasting illuminated signs, but the development site is the only one that remains.

Image credit: Fletcher Priest/Dbox

Via: Dezeen