The new design creates three levels of retail and restaurants surrounding a new world class public square at the end of Oxford Street. The 34 storey tower will be changed to 82 units for private residential use along with a new build on-site affordable block providing 13 units.

The major new public space formed at the base is formed through an extensive series of transport changes, and road diversions that currently pass through and below the building. It will form an outstanding new public realm that connects Oxford Street to Covent Garden, and as the exit point to the new Crossrail Tottenham Court Road station.

An extensive refurbishment will strip back to the frame and produce double height retail space through a series of complex structural internal demolitions, removing mezzanines, glazed infill, and facade realignment, introducing activity to all sides of the central London site. Other interventions in the surrounding area include pedestrianising the route to Covent Garden from Centre Point, which Almacantar says will make Centre Point a “natural hub” between Soho, Covent Garden, Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia.

"The start of construction at Centre Point is a pivotal moment for a scheme which has been more than three years in the making," said Kathrin Hersel, development director at Almacantar. "The project will breathe new life into this landmark, giving it a sustainable and exciting future for the benefit of all Londoners and visitors to the capital."

Hersel continued: “Centre Point is now the focus of Crossrail which will trigger an explosion in visitor numbers to this part of the West End. We will give a much needed new lease of life to the area and turn Centre Point into a destination Londoners can be proud of, and providing a lasting legacy.
Rick Mather Architects is behind the public realm designs and say the square is “the key piece in the jigsaw” and is “part of a long term vision by Camden, Westminster, TFL and LUL”.

As the work starts, an Eley Kishimoto-designed building wrap will go up around the tower’s facade. It will reference the building’s 1960s architecture and take six months to erect and six months to take down.