To the residents of Chelsea, Peter Jones is still their local corner shop, catering for successive generations of customers.

Over a five-year renovation period, the John Lewis Partnership aimed to retain this unique ambience at their listed Sloane Square store, while creating a magnificent new 21st century retail experience.

The challenge was to refurbish the listed department store, bringing it up to current standards, while maintaining full trading. An additional floor at roof level was provided, along with new escalator wells. The store’s famous round staircase was fully restored, and the listed façade and internal balustrading were refurbished to maintain the building’s period appeal.

A new restaurant, café, beauty rooms and additional departments were created. The existing building services were outdated and required full replacement. An innovative chilled ceiling solution, coupled with a bonded raised access floor, ensured full flexibility on the sales floors, while providing 21st century M&E servicing.

A three room strategy was adopted, ensuring that no more than one third of the store was undergoing renovation at any one time. Some departments were temporarily relocated to the store’s warehouse area in nearby Draycott Avenue.

Davis Langdon’s emphasis on team skills and collaborative working was put to good use: a combined site-based team-working initiative ensured that issues could be addressed immediately by the relevant consultants.