Following many years as home to Debenhams, the historical landmark building – Arding & Hobbs (located at the heart of Clapham Junction) – has recently undergone an extensive and sympathetic renovation project, under the management of owners, W. Real Estate.
The first new tentant is Botanica Hall, part of Albion & East Limited which run a collection of neighbourhood bars. Described as “Open all-day and late-night with early-morning coffee, brunch and hot-desking in the day, to cocktails, wood-fired pizza and DJs at night and everything in-between,” this is their seventh venue with existing locations in Hackney, Crouch End, Old Street and (opening soon) Ealing. In Brixton, they also run both Canova Hall and Cattivo, which offer a similar business format.
Albion & East have taken on a unit which is the corner directly opposite the Falcon, effectively half of the old beauty section of Debenhams. They also have a small section of the pavement outside that is owned by W.RE and counts as part of the premises.
The second tenant – taking on the unit along St John’s Road – is Prezzemoloe & Vitale, a Sicilian grocery shop which currently operates stores in Chelsea, Notting Hill, Borough Market, and Wimbledon. Due to open later in 2024, we look forward to sampling their authentic Italian charcuterie, cheeses, pasta, olive oil, and tomato sauce!
The arrival of P&V comes as Amazon Fresh (which originally took on this unit) pulled out following unsuccessful trials of their 'contactless' stores across the UK.
Finally, opening later this summer is Third Space, a luxury neighbourhood club offering 27,500 sq ft of high-spec workout and recovery space. The stunning original beams and windows, with modern industrial finishes, pour natural light into the 2,500 sq ft gym space and frame their signature HIIT and cycle classes and Hot Yoga space.
This recent renovation project is the latest in a rich history associated with Arding & Hobbs. The Grade II listed building was built in 1910 in an Edwardian Baroque style to replace the original flagship department store (owned by James Hobbs and Henry Arding) which had been destroyed by fire.
In more recent times, the building housed a list of well-known high street retailers, but it also famously featured in several films and television programmes including the 1981 action-thriller Nighthawks, where the shop was bombed, and the 1993 Mr Bean episode, Do-It-Yourself, Mr Bean. New Romance pop fans may even remember the building featured in the video Life on Your Own by The Human League!
We look forward to seeing the latest development of this beloved local building take shape. Watch this space!
