Work set to start on London subterranean complex

An underground car park in the heart of London’s West End is set to be converted into a £150M subterranean healthcare and entertainment complex.

Westminster council has approved plans for the four-level mega-basement beneath Cavendish Square during a “virtual’ planning meeting thought to be a first for such a major project.

The plans will turn the current three-level 1970s car park, into four underground storeys that can be used for healthcare, office, entertainment, retail and leisure spaces.

When built, the 280,000m² complex will be the capital’s largest below-ground destination and could set a precedent for other developments.

Cavendish Square was laid out as a garden by Charles Bridgeman in 1717 as an early part of the Cavendish-Harley Estate. It lies within the Harley Street Conservation Area and is surrounded by Grade II-listed buildings.

The developer for the scheme is Reef Group, and the scheme is scheduled for completion by 2023.