Project Overview

A spectacular new entrance hall for Harrods. One of the most complex refurbishments to a Grade II* listed building ever attempted - 16 sets of nickel bronze-clad escalators and a new glass dome.

Project Commissioner

Harrods

Project Creator

Make Architects

Project Brief

Make designed a spectacular new entrance hall for Harrods’ flagship store in Kensington. The existing hall, located at Hans Crescent, was constructed in 1939 and until recently housed a tired series of escalators installed some 30 years ago. We’ve reconfigured the space to create a stunning arrival experience for today’s customers – one that better reflects the elegance of the Harrods brand and the historic grandeur of its Grade II*-listed building.

Project Innovation/Need

Central to our complex refurbishment was the reconfiguration of the existing landings and subsequent installation of 16 sets of double escalators, all clad in nickel bronze. This has opened up the view from the lower ground to the fifth floor for the first time, and allows customers to move directly into the retail areas at each level. We’ve also added high-definition visual merchandising screens at each retail entrance, restored the currently covered-up 1930s windows and created a new glass roof dome to flood the hall with natural light.

With our additions, all carefully crafted in consultation with English Heritage, the Hans Crescent entrance is a new point of focus for Harrods – a bright, sophisticated space that encompasses the brand’s refined aesthetic and rich history as London’s premier department store.

Design Challenge

"Building this future heritage has allowed us to work with many craftspeople and artisans in and around the capital, from intricate fibrous plasterers in Sunbury-on-Thames to fluted glass experts in Croydon and glass dome specialists in Iver."
Ian Lomas, Project architect, Make