London’s Sicilian Avenue is coming back to life, creating a focal point in Bloomsbury to enjoy - with offices opening above new retailers, recreating a glimpse of a vanished 19th century London.
The street, reopening after a multi-year refurbishment, is going to bring a new lease of life to the area, says Gavin Noonan of refurbishment contractor Structure Tone.
It’s also a vision of London’s historic past: Grade II listed Sicilian Avenue emerged in 1910 during the second industrial revolution, when transport advancements led to architects to recreate far-flung locations in London, hence the Avenue’s nods to Sicily and Ancient Rome.
“They don't make it like this anymore,” says Noonan, “It's quite a unique setup in and around London to have the Avenue with the retail units and the office space all together.
“We've also got the residential building apartment blocks on the top floor. So for people who come in and around this space and interact, once they have the retail units alive and fully occupied, it's going to be a very vibrant space to come.
What has happened to Sicilian Avenue?
Above Sicilian Avenue’s newly opening shops is 70,000 sq ft of contemporary workspace, offering occupiers immediate access to hungry diners searching for high quality dining experiences.
Designed by visionary architect R. J. Worley in 1910, and pedestrian since then, the street’s beautiful Edwardian shop fronts connect local businesses to these offices and residences, offering amazing access to an in-built community of local residents and office workers.
Why is Sicilian Avenue important in Bloomsbury?
Andrew Yorke, Director of Hale Brown Architects says, “The importance of the avenue is maintained through its architecture, through bringing people back into the area, revitalising it back to what it was originally designed to be, as a pedestrian, a hub for people to come to the area. That's what we think is important for it, as the centre and the social heart of Bloomsbury.”
The street already has a high passing footfall in a serene location (a distinctive diagonal across Bloomsbury’s streets.)
David Hughes, Director of Alchemy Asset Management says, “Sicilian Avenue offers the opportunity to deliver very high end, high quality retail, food and beverage offerings allied to very high class, brand new offices as well.”
The refurbished Sicilian Avenue offers 70,000 square feet of offices above 17,500 feet of retail, food, and beverage and lifestyle space. For more information about commercial lettings, please visit: https://sicilianavenue.com/commercial-opportunities