Iconic 20th Century Fox HQ building in Soho threatened with demolition
20th Century Fox's former HQ in London’s West End is being threatened with demolition.
The iconic building, standing in the corner of Soho Square, was built in 1937 and opened a year later in a ceremony attended by screen and music hall legend Gracie Fields.
It was vacated by Fox in March this year, following its billion dollar takeover by Disney.
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But now, according to Screen International, fund management company Royal London Asset Management has submitted an application to the City of Westminster to demolish it to make way for a new building.
The new building would comprise 'residential flats, retail and restaurant units, and office space'.
An objection to the plans is already in place from the Soho Society, which points out that the Square is a conservation area.
Soho resident and film producer Colin Vaines, whose credits include Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, Coriolanus and The Young Victoria, is among those leading the challenge against the development plans, calling the likely capitulation of Westminster Council 'shameful'.
Once again, developers who know the price of everything and the value of nothing have submitted proposals to knock down the 1938 Fox building in Soho Square and replace it with yet another generic edifice. Depressingly, WCC seems likely to approve with minor changes. Shameful. pic.twitter.com/mD4EUahG8L
— Colin Vaines (@ColinVaines) June 3, 2019
Others have chimed in too, with a campaign now gaining support on social media.
Stop the demolition of Century House 31-32 Soho Sq. The 1938 opening seen here @ 4 mins 14 with sound. Proposed demolition by CBRE Ltd. Object not to them but @ the link to Westminster Council asap https://t.co/oBwHa60lTN Link to write to https://t.co/YJYD7hCEXl @ilovesoholondon
— Tales From Tin Pan Alley (@TalesPan) June 10, 2019
Hard not to see as symbolic the breaking news that the 'iconic' Fox UK HQ on Soho Square could face demolition, months after their Disney acquisition. pic.twitter.com/DExZCwRbfX
— Damian Spandley (@damospandley) June 11, 2019
The planning application for 20th Century Fox - Soho Square is now live - the reference is 19/04164/FULL if you would like to comment or object @BerW1ckStMarket @ColinVaines @SohoGeorge pic.twitter.com/yscX0mCyMQ
— The Soho Society (@sohosocietyw1) June 7, 2019