Controversial £100m Knightsbridge Project Will House Nearly 2,000 Workers Amid Fears of Reduced Privacy for Residents

An 11-storey office block set to rise next to Harrods in Knightsbridge has been approved, despite opposition from local residents over potential privacy issues. The Westminster City Council has given the go-ahead for the project at 1 Knightsbridge Green, which will provide office space for nearly 2,000 workers and generate significant footfall in the area, potentially boosting the local economy.

The scheme, presented by Berkeley Estate Asset Management (BEAM), was narrowly passed in a council vote, with some members voicing strong concerns about the impact on residents’ privacy. Conservative councillors Rachael Robathan and Jim Glen opposed the project, citing fears that workers could use terraces and windows to look into homes along Brompton Road and Raphael Street. In contrast, Labour councillors, including Paul Fisher and committee chair Jason Williams, supported the development, emphasising the need for quality office space to drive economic growth in Westminster.

Although the design was praised, Cllr Robathan raised alarms about the noise levels and potential loss of privacy for those living in nearby properties, especially along Raphael Street, where the development is set to create a sense of enclosure. Cllr Glen echoed concerns about the terraces, which could allow employees to peer into neighbouring homes.

BEAM intends to replace the largely vacant Caltex House with a modern office block featuring 12,400 square metres of office space. The development will also preserve a pub, restaurant, and post office at ground level. A budget of over £100 million has been allocated for the project, which will include an underground cycle parking area, a ‘pocket’ garden, and measures to offset the carbon emissions of the development at nearby schools.

However, the development has faced significant opposition from residents, with some objectors warning that the building’s massing and scale would block sunlight from neighbouring homes, causing as much as a 90% reduction in natural light for some properties. Cllr Elizabeth Hitchcock raised concerns that the project would create a “canyon-like” effect along Raphael Street and lead to an oppressive environment on Brompton Road.

Despite these objections, Westminster City Council maintained that the development would not cause “undue” harm or privacy loss. In response to the concerns, the developers agreed to incorporate frosted glass on certain sections of the building to limit the view into residential homes.

BEAM argued that the existing Caltex House is outdated and of poor quality, serving only around 200 people when it could accommodate many more. The business community in Knightsbridge also expressed support for the redevelopment, stating that the current building is unattractive and has safety and air quality issues.

The project is expected to enhance the area and contribute to the economic vibrancy of Knightsbridge, although residents remain concerned about its potential impact on their quality of life.