A sensitive transformation of a listed building into a contemporary retail destination.
Client UC Build
Project Role Executive Architects
Scale 25,000 sq.ft
Status Complete
Located on Floral Street in the heart of Covent Garden, Carriage Hall is a rare and historically significant Grade II listed building dating back to 1833.
Originally constructed as part of London’s carriage-making industry, the structure is defined by its exposed cast-iron columns, timber framing, and central courtyard.
Our brief was to adapt this complex historic building to accommodate a modern, multi-level apparel store for Uniqlo and Theory—without compromising its architectural character. The project demanded a sensitive balance: preserving and revealing heritage fabric while delivering the operational clarity, flexibility, and experience expected of a contemporary global retail brand. Programme constraints and limited access added further complexity to the challenge.
Former carriage hall in Covent Garden
Theory concession
Adaptive Reuse with Retail Precision
Drawing on our extensive experience in retail and listed buildings, we developed a design approach rooted in minimum intervention and maximum clarity. The original structure was left exposed and celebrated throughout, with new elements designed to sit quietly alongside historic fabric rather than compete with it.
To meet programme and access constraints, we designed a feature staircase to be manufactured off-site and installed efficiently, minimising disruption to the existing building. Existing finishes, services, and lighting were retained and reused wherever possible, reducing material waste and supporting long-term flexibility.
Across three floors, we shaped a clear and legible retail journey for Uniqlo’s men’s and women’s collections, while also integrating Theory as a complementary brand. Our interiors team supported sub-brand development for the end user, ensuring the spatial language aligned with Uniqlo’s identity while responding to the character of the building itself.
A flagship store with cultural depth
The completed Covent Garden store demonstrates how historic buildings can be re-energised for modern use without losing their soul. Beyond retail, the space offers richer experiences—most notably Uniqlo UK’s first in-store Japanese tearoom, created in collaboration with Katsute100 café, alongside a rotating botanical pop-up with JamJar Flowers.
By carefully blending heritage, contemporary retail design, and cultural programming, the project delivers a flagship destination that feels authentic to its context and engaging for visitors. It reinforces the Carriage Hall’s long-term future, contributes positively to the vitality of Floral Street, and showcases our ability to deliver complex retail environments that are commercially responsive, design-led, and rooted in place.
