Richard Rogers' Practice Moving from Hammersmith

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But will River Cafe stay in redeveloped Thames Wharf?

Hammersmith's most famous achitectural practice, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, or RSHP, has confirmed that it will be moving fom its iconic riverside site, Thames Wharf Studios later this year.

However, it is still uncertain whether Hammersmith's most celebrated restaurant, The River Cafe will stay on in the site, which is being redeveloped to create a mixture of upmarket apartments and commercial units.

A spokesman for the practice says that the Michelin starred restaurant, owned and run by Lord Rogers' wife Ruth, will have the option to renew its current lease when it runs out at the end of next year.

And trade publication Building Design reports that the site's developers, a partnership between Marco Goldschmied, a former partner at the architectural practice who owns the freehold, and builders London and Regional, are keen for the restaurant to stay on the premises.

According to the publication, an insider said: " The café may have to close down for a while, but it closed once before, for six months, following a fire in 2008. It was then reopened to much fanfare.

"That could happen again."

RHSP is moving to the City's Leadenhall Building in the City, nicknamed The Cheesegrater, which was designed by a team led by the practice's Graham Stirk.

The practice was set up by Richard - now Lord - Rogers  in 1977 and in 1983 it acquired Thames Wharf Studios and converted it from the Duckham’s oil facility into offices, workshops, housing and the ground floor River Cafe.

The practice has also played a prominent role in Hammersmith by designing and supporting the award-winning cancer support centre Maggie's at Charing Cross Hospital in Fulham Palace Road.

RSHP is currently drawing up plans for the redevelopment of Thames Wharf. A public exhibition was held in the autumn, but a spokesman says that that designs have moved on since then, and a planning application can be expected early this year.

 

January 23, 2015