Work has finally started on Great Western Developments and Sellar Group’s massive £825 million scheme, now known as Paddington Square.

GWD acquired the large site – which is comprised of 31 London Street, the former Royal Mail Sorting Office, and 128-142 Praed Street – in late 2014, and obtained planning permission from Westminster City Council in August 2017.

However, after facing numerous setbacks when the original 72-storey design was met with fierce opposition, the development has now been given the go-ahead following a redesign. The new site will include a huge 360,000 sq ft office building, 75,220 sq ft of retail and restaurant space – including 13,650 sq ft for rooftop dining, a new Bakerloo line ticket hall and entrances, and 1.35 acres of new public square. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

Chief Executive of Sellar, James Sellar says; “We are pleased to launch Paddington Square, this transformational redevelopment of the entire area immediately around Paddington Station that will create a vibrant destination bringing an exciting retail and leisure experience and much needed commercial life… Paddington Square will dramatically improve transport connectivity with a new Bakerloo line station and a new public space. With the arrival of the new Elizabeth Line, Paddington will become one of the capital’s major transport hubs with direct fast links to Heathrow, the West End, the City and Canary Wharf.”

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