Vivienne Westwood Battersea HQ Wins 8-Storey Expansion Approval 

Key Points

• Wandsworth Council approved Vivienne Westwood’s plans to modernise and extend two buildings at its Battersea headquarters in south London on 20 January 2026.​
• The extension will add up to eight storeys to parts of the building, resulting in a new headquarters reaching up to 10 storeys.​
• Councillors praised the scheme for economic benefits and sustainability but raised concerns about overlooking neighbours.​
• The council’s planning report described the current headquarters as “cramped, confined and ill-serve the company that seeks to attract significant investment, high-calibre staff and project a global image of a strong, forward-looking and sustainable brand”.​
• Labour Councillor Sara Apps sympathised with neighbours but welcomed the project, stating: “I like the idea of Vivienne Westwood’s headquarters staying within Battersea”.​
• Councillor Apps added: “I think that’s a really good economic development. I also like the fact that they are using much of the existing building for sustainability reasons. I think that’s really good and it’s also historic”.​
• Works will be split into two phases to allow the company to continue operations uninterrupted.​
• The project is designed by AndArchitects, who were first appointed in 2008 and had a prior approval in 2015.​
• Design features a tartan-inspired patterned façade as a fragmented collage, with internal open-plan workspaces connected by collaborative staircases.​
• Sustainability targets include UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (UKNZBS) compliance, natural ventilation, daylighting, greenery on façades and courtyards, modular construction, material reuse and high-performance energy systems.​
• The redevelopment aims to provide more space for staff, atelier and on-site archive, consolidating operations into one building while retaining the brand’s three-decade presence in Battersea.​
• The site on Elcho Street contributes to Battersea’s creative industries hub, near the Royal College of Art’s new campus designed by Herzog & de Meuron.​
• An Instagram post from Vivienne Westwood on 28 January 2026 announced: “Vivienne Westwood has received planning permission to extend and modernise its Battersea headquarters, securing the long-term future of the brand in the area”.​
• Manuel Nogueira of AndArchitects shared on LinkedIn on 28 January 2026: “We are pleased to share that Vivienne Westwood has received planning permission to extend and modernise its Battersea headquarters at Elcho Street”.​
• A MyLondon Facebook post on 29 January 2026 noted: “The revamped headquarters will provide more space for the growing brand’s employees so it does not have to relocate”.​
• Earlier coverage by Building.co.uk reported plans submission to extend the Battersea base.​
• Showhouse.co.uk in August 2025 mentioned the extension as part of Battersea’s regeneration next to Ransome’s Wharf.​

Battersea, South London (South London News) January 30, 2026 – Wandsworth Council’s planning committee has approved a significant expansion for the Vivienne Westwood headquarters, allowing the iconic fashion brand to add up to eight storeys to its existing buildings on Elcho Street. This decision modernises the site while addressing the company’s need for more space to attract top talent and investment. Despite praise for the project, concerns linger over its impact on neighbouring properties.

What Did Wandsworth Council Approve?

The approval came on 20 January 2026, when the council’s planning committee greenlit the scheme to extend and refurbish two buildings at the Battersea site. As detailed in the council’s report, the current facilities are

“cramped, confined and ill-serve the company that seeks to attract significant investment, high-calibre staff and project a global image of a strong, forward-looking and sustainable brand”.

The expansion will elevate parts of the structure by eight storeys, culminating in a headquarters up to 10 storeys tall.​

This builds on prior efforts by AndArchitects, who submitted the planning application following a 2015 approval and initial appointment in 2008. According to AndArchitects’ proposals reported by Building Design Online, the design accommodates a restructured studio operation in a single building, retaining partial warehouse and office elements. The firm aims to boost space for expanding staff, the atelier and an on-site archive, ensuring the brand’s 30-year tenure in Battersea endures.​

Why Was the Current Headquarters Deemed Inadequate?

The council report explicitly highlighted the shortcomings of the existing setup, labelling it “cramped, confined” and unfit for a brand aspiring to global stature. This inadequacy hampers Vivienne Westwood’s ability to lure high-calibre staff and substantial investment, as noted in the official documentation. Modernisation is thus positioned as essential for projecting a “strong, forward-looking and sustainable” image.​

As reported by BBC News, the two-phase construction minimises disruption, permitting ongoing operations. This phased approach aligns with sustainability goals, maximising reuse of the existing building, which Labour Councillor Sara Apps praised as “really good and it’s also historic”.

What Concerns Did Councillors Raise?

Councillors lauded the economic upside but voiced worries about the development overlooking neighbours. Labour Councillor Sara Apps acknowledged this sympathy, stating she understood local residents’ apprehensions. Nonetheless, she endorsed the plans overall.​

No other specific objections from the 20 January meeting are detailed across sources, though the approval proceeded despite these privacy concerns. Earlier submissions, as covered by Building.co.uk, had already flagged the need for careful neighbourly consideration in such a dense area.

What Did Councillor Sara Apps Say?

Labour Councillor Sara Apps expressed clear support during the committee discussion. As reported by BBC News, she said: “I like the idea of Vivienne Westwood’s headquarters staying within Battersea”. She elaborated:

“I think that’s a really good economic development”.​

Apps further commended the sustainability angle: “I also like the fact that they are using much of the existing building for sustainability reasons”. She concluded her remarks by noting:

“I think that’s really good and it’s also historic”.

Her comments underscore the balance between growth and heritage.​

Who Designed the Expansion?

AndArchitects leads the architectural vision, with plans submitted for the tartan-inspired extension. The façade draws from Vivienne Westwood’s signature motifs, forming a “fragmented collage” pattern. Internally, open-plan workspaces link via staircases that foster collaboration and serve as display areas with glazed openings.​

Modular off-site fabrication reduces waste, while reusing bricks, finishes and fittings enhances efficiency. Manuel Nogueira of AndArchitects celebrated the approval on LinkedIn:

“We are pleased to share that Vivienne Westwood has received planning permission to extend and modernise its Battersea headquarters at Elcho Street”.

What Sustainability Features Are Included?

The project targets the pilot UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (UKNZBS). Strategies encompass natural ventilation, daylighting, integrated greenery on façades and courtyards, plus high-performance energy systems. Councillor Apps highlighted the reuse of existing structures as a key sustainable and historic virtue.

These elements, per Building Design Online, position the HQ as a model for eco-conscious fashion infrastructure. The two-phase rollout further supports continuity without compromising green credentials.

How Does This Fit Battersea’s Transformation?

Battersea is evolving into a creative hub, with Vivienne Westwood’s upgrade reinforcing this shift. The Elcho Street site neighbours the Royal College of Art’s £135 million campus by Herzog & de Meuron, featuring the Studio Building and Rausing Research and Innovation Building. Showhouse.co.uk linked it to wider regeneration near Ransome’s Wharf and the Thames between Albert Bridge and Battersea Bridge.

Councillor Tony Belton, in his June 2025 newsletter, previewed the plans via a Zoom tour, noting their significance for Elcho Street. A MyLondon post emphasised preventing relocation by accommodating growth.

What Is the Project’s Timeline and Phasing?

Approval occurred on 20 January 2026, with works divided into two phases. This sequencing ensures Vivienne Westwood maintains operations, as per BBC coverage. An Instagram announcement from the brand on 28 January affirmed:

“Vivienne Westwood has received planning permission to extend and modernise its Battersea headquarters, securing the long-term future of the brand”.

No firm start or completion dates are specified across sources, though modular methods suggest efficiency. The scheme follows years of planning, from 2008 engagement to 2025 submission.​

What Economic Benefits Does It Bring?

Councillor Apps deemed it “a really good economic development” by retaining the HQ locally. It bolsters Battersea’s creative cluster, aiding staff recruitment and investment. MyLondon highlighted space for expanding employees, averting relocation.

The consolidation supports atelier growth and archiving, vital for a global brand. Building.co.uk’s early report framed it as key to the firm’s west London base.

This expansion cements Vivienne Westwood’s legacy in Battersea, blending punk heritage with forward-thinking design. While neighbours’ privacy remains a noted issue, the council’s nod signals confidence in its merits. The project promises to elevate the area’s status as a fashion and arts nexus.