Holland Park Gate

The Odeon Kensington cinema sits within a sensitive conservation area, opposite the former Commonwealth Institute – home to the Design Museum – and surrounded by established residential townhouses. During its lifetime, much of the quality of the original interior was removed or irreparably damaged as a result of conversions to multiple screen cinemas. Squire & Partners’ consented designs restore the Neo-Grecian façade, and establishes a seven screen modern cinema facility below ground, and creates a new residential neighbourhood orientated towards the rear of the site.

In addition to the cinema site, the development includes a former Royal Mail sorting office which has frontages on High Street Kensington and Earls Court Road. The overall scheme provides 8 contemporary townhouses, 54 residential apartments (including 20 affordable), office, retail and a 1,000 seat cinema in five buildings.

The design approach sought to complement the retained 1920s Neo-Grecian entrance. A repetitive flowing cast façade is designed as a draped veil backdrop to the grand proscenium arch, providing a series of elegant vertical waves across the building. The flowing veil concept is applied to other buildings within the development, using a handful of materials including bronze anodised aluminium fins as a darker counterpoint to the pale masonry.