Following their appointment by Canadian & Portland Estates in 2007, Haworth Tompkins Architects have completed phase one of their revitalisation of Bishops Palace House in Kingston upon Thames, to create an exciting new retail and leisure destination. The second part of the master plan is due to be completed in 2019.
Re-oriented building
The Bishops Palace House site lies in a prominent location on the western edge of the Old Town Conservation Area on the bank of the Thames, next to the Grade II* listed Bridge. Clad in a dark brown brick, the existing building is a monolithic three-storey building which was originally designed as a supermarket at street level with car parking below facing onto the river.
Haworth Tompkins have capitalised on the potential of this special setting by re-orientating the building to face the river, and improving connections from the town centre to the east. These works have served to re-establish the ‘Riverside’ as a destination prior to the renovation of the rest of the building.
5 restaurants + 6 ‘pocket’ units
Five new commercial restaurants including Bills, Comptoir Libanais, Busaba Eathai, CAU and Cote Brasserie, and space for six independent ‘pocket’ units, have been carved out from the original carpark, set within a rusticated portland stone plinth. Generous public terraces are provided at riverside and street levels, enjoying views across the river and Kingston bridge.
The next phase will see major works at the upper levels to create over 3500m2 of new retail and restaurant space, including a new rooftop bar and terrace with panoramic views across the Thames towards Hampton Court.