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The former Gaumont cinema on King’s Road is being reborn as a £235 million cultural and grocery shopping hub with offices, 47 apartments, a rooftop bar and a 600-seat Curzon cinema.
The 220,000-square-foot mixed-use progression at 196-222 King’s Road, known as The Gaumont, is owner Cadogan’s largest allocation since the Duke of York Square assignment 15 years ago.
It was designed through Belgravia-based PDP studio and structured through Wates Group. It also includes retail sets for independent creatives and an installation through London-based artist Shezad Dawood.
The venue is home to the original 1930s Palais Gaumont theatre, whose art deco façade has been renovated.
Hugh Seaborn, chief executive of Cadogan, said: “The aim of this task has been to revitalise the unique character of King’s Road and contribute to its rich heritage, while also ushering in a new era: from the independent ‘creative pool’, to filming, to a new mainstream audience. Art commission for the superbly restored façade.
“Many other projects are underway, such as the location of an area for immersive cultural pop-ups, a ‘pub-theatre’ and the right new operator to keep establishments like the 151 Club alive. The Gaumont is a major component of a larger plan to revitalize one of the world’s most prominent main streets.
Matthew Jones, Studio PDP Architects, “This visionary assignment is poised to reshape this iconic grocery shopping destination. We drew on the urban language of the road to create an elevation full of character. It’s not just about the users of the building, but also the users of the building. It’s also about giving back to passersby, the local community, and pedestrians on the street. It’s a smart, mature and understated design, a much-needed addition to one of London’s most storied streets. “
Shezad Dawood said: “I feel deeply connected to mastery on other levels, from the first time I saw The Seven Samurai with my father at the Chelsea cinema as a child, to one of my first jobs in a bookshop on King’s Road. And then, of course. There is the wider cultural significance of the region, as home to artists, writers, and filmmakers. As an artist working in painting, ceramics, and film, I am very pleased to be asked to create art paintings for the façade of such an iconic building that was also a key component of my film education.
Gaumont is expected to open in stages, with the rooftop bar and retail sets slated to launch early next year, followed by the remaining spaces over the summer. The final phase of the openings will coincide with the unveiling of the public art installation.
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