185 Tower Bridge Road

185 Tower Bridge Road is a mixed-use redevelopment of a long-standing gap site close to Tower Bridge, within the Tooley Street Conservation Area and immediately adjacent to the Grade II listed Former London and County Bank. The proposals complete the urban block with a new commercial space at ground and basement levels and eight new homes above.

The design responds to the site’s prominent corner position while establishing a carefully considered relationship with its historic neighbour. Rather than replicating the architecture of the listed bank, the proposals draw on the proportions, rhythm and architectural language of the surrounding late Victorian and Edwardian buildings, reinterpreting these in a contemporary way.

The building is organised through a clear hierarchy of base, middle and roof. Articulated brick pilasters establish rhythm and depth across the elevations, while the curved corner frontage creates a strong focal point at the junction of Tower Bridge Road and Queen Elizabeth Street. A hipped mansard and dormers reduce the perceived scale of the upper floors and allow the building to sit comfortably alongside the listed bank and within the varied local roofscape.

A restrained palette of soft red brick, pigmented precast concrete and natural slate draws on the material character of the conservation area. Closely related tones allow depth, relief and shadow to provide much of the architectural expression, creating a building that is contextual without being imitative.

Internally, an efficient single core serves eight apartments, including a wheelchair-accessible home, with private amenity space and views towards Tower Bridge and The Shard. At street level, generous glazing wraps the corner commercial space, activating the surrounding streets and bringing a previously undeveloped site back into the life of the area.