Selfridges Parcels Building

Curtain Wall Retrofit Case Study – Adding Space & Light to Selfridges, Oxford Street

Overview

Selfridges is one of the most recognisable retail destinations in London, located on Oxford Street and visited by millions of shoppers every year. As part of a major redevelopment of adjacent buildings along Duke Street, the Parcels Building required a significant façade upgrade to improve the interior environment while preserving the historic architectural character of the surrounding structure.

The project formed part of a wider refurbishment programme designed to modernise the building’s interior spaces while respecting its original external stone façade. The development sought to introduce more light, maximise usable floor area, and create additional social spaces within the building.

Structura was appointed to oversee the design, supply, and installation of specialist curtain walling and glazing systems throughout the redevelopment. The project required an innovative approach because the new curtain wall system needed to be installed inside the existing stone column façade, preserving the exterior appearance while delivering modern glazing performance.

Over the course of a 12-month installation programme, Structura worked alongside architects, contractors, and multiple trades to deliver a technically complex façade solution within one of London’s busiest retail districts.

This project demonstrates how specialist façade engineering can transform an existing building by improving internal space, light, and usability while maintaining the integrity of its architectural heritage.

The Challenge

Redeveloping buildings in dense urban retail environments presents several engineering and logistical challenges. For the Selfridges Parcels Building project, the key difficulty was delivering a modern curtain wall façade solution while preserving the building’s external stone architecture. Several technical and operational factors shaped the complexity of the project.

Preserving the Existing Stone Façade

One of the main architectural requirements of the redevelopment was to maintain the original stone column façade. The façade is an important element of the building’s identity and contributes to the character of the surrounding Oxford Street and Duke Street streetscape. Rather than removing or replacing the stone exterior, the project required a new curtain wall system to be installed behind the existing stone structure. This meant that the new glazing system needed to be carefully integrated within the interior envelope of the building. Installing curtain walling in this way required detailed engineering design to ensure the new glazing system aligned precisely with the existing structure.

Maximising Usable Interior Space

Another key objective of the redevelopment was to increase the usable floor area within the building. To achieve this, the interior concrete slabs were extended by 200 millimetres, allowing the internal footprint to expand within the existing structure. While this may appear modest, such extensions can significantly improve interior circulation space and flexibility for commercial layouts in dense urban developments. Integrating these slab extensions with the curtain wall system required careful structural coordination.

Adapting a Standard Façade System

The curtain wall design was based on the Schüco ADS 70 system, a well-established architectural aluminium glazing system. However, the architect’s design vision required several bespoke modifications to achieve the desired aesthetic. In particular, L-shaped aesthetic face cappings were required across the façade to deliver the visual finish specified by the design team. These components could not be sourced as standard products and therefore needed to be designed and engineered in-house by Structura. Ensuring these bespoke elements integrated seamlessly with the Schüco system required precise design coordination and prototyping.

Working in a High-Traffic Retail Environment

Oxford Street is one of the busiest pedestrian areas in Europe. Construction work in this location requires strict planning to ensure the safety of the public and workers. Key challenges included managing large glass panels in pedestrianised areas, creating secure exclusion zones during installation, coordinating deliveries and lifting operations, and working alongside other contractors involved in the building refurbishment. These operations had to be carefully timed to minimise disruption to the surrounding retail area.

Complex Installation Logistics

One of the most challenging aspects of the project involved installing glazing at Level Six, where access constraints required the closure of nearby roads. To safely install these glazing units, the project team coordinated two full weekend road closures, a mobile tower crane, full contract lift plan, and traffic management and road control measures. These operations had to be carefully timed to minimise disruption to the surrounding retail area.

Structura’s Solution

Structura developed a tailored engineering and installation approach that allowed the new curtain wall façade to be successfully integrated within the existing building structure. The project required detailed design work, prototyping, specialised equipment, and close collaboration with multiple contractors on site.

Project Results

The redevelopment of the Selfridges Parcels Building successfully delivered a modern glazing and façade solution while preserving the architectural character of the existing structure. The project demonstrates how innovative engineering solutions can transform interior environments without altering historic external façades.

Increased Interior Space

By extending the interior slabs by 200 millimetres, the project created additional usable floor area within the building. In dense urban developments, even relatively small increases in floor space can significantly improve the flexibility and functionality of interior layouts.

Improved Internal Environment

The new curtain wall glazing improves the internal environment by increasing natural light penetration throughout the building. This helps create brighter and more comfortable interior spaces while improving the overall user experience within the building.

Bespoke Architectural Detailing

The custom L-shaped aesthetic face cappings developed by Structura allowed the curtain wall system to match the architect’s design intent precisely. These bespoke elements demonstrate the flexibility of façade engineering systems when supported by specialist design and manufacturing expertise.

Safe Installation in a Busy Urban Environment

Despite the challenges of working in one of London’s busiest retail districts, the project was successfully delivered through careful planning and coordination. Key operational achievements included:

• Installation of glass panels weighing up to 500 kg
• Two weekend road closures to facilitate crane operations
• Safe installation within highly pedestrianised areas
• Successful coordination between multiple contractors

Successful Project Delivery

Structura’s installation team remained on site for approximately 12 months to complete the full scope of works. The finished façade and glazing installation now forms part of a revitalised building environment that supports Selfridges’ redevelopment plans while preserving the distinctive stone façade. The project stands as an example of how expert façade engineering, bespoke design solutions, and careful project coordination can deliver outstanding results within complex urban developments.

Awards

Category: Architectural Glazing, Bespoke Glazing, Curtain Walling, Glazing Refurbishment, Project, Structural Glazing