Situated in a resurgent part of Regent Street, London, is a striking example of refurbished architecture - sympathetic to its heritage whilst revitalised to provide a contemporary retail destination. The New London Awards 2019 retail category winner is the only Arcade on Regent Street and development has breathed new life into the Grade II listed building.
Part of the transformation was designing a stunning and inviting tiled floor space, which replaced the previous Regent Street column. Supplied by InOpera Group, stone and Architectural terrazzo specialists, they closely collaborated with the architect BARR GAZETAS to create a beautiful flooring solution that complemented the aesthetics of the new entrance.
Giudi Veneri, RIBA Associate comments: “InOpera were very helpful in working with us to define the technical requirements and also to maintain the design aesthetic and principles throughout the construction phase whilst also offering solutions when problems were encountered.
The Arcade’s terrazzo floor is a very important feature that redefines the aesthetic of the space and has helped deliver the vision that we, together with the client, had for modernising this part of Regent Street. The floor is a testament to InOpera product and willingness to work with us to 
push boundaries and create something unique.”
The redesigned arcade features two floors of retail and an internal floor area of 12,000ft2. To maximise the 90-year-old building’s retail potential a large column situated centrally at the arcade’s entrance was removed, and replaced with elegant curved glazing and beautiful captivating flooring leading into the arcade.
“The street facing shop fronts have been redesigned with a continuous glazed curve and a bronze portal that frames a new opening creating a seamless entrance. Contemporary lighting and clear entrances therefore create a welcoming presence so that the space becomes a draw in its own right.”
The intricately designed flooring that pays homage to M.C. Escher’s box artwork design was supplied by InOpera Group. It consists of four cement-based Architectural terrazzo tiles; Ecru, Ghiaccio, Grafite to form the ‘box’ design and Carbone to trim the edge of the flooring.
Enzo Favro, Managing Director, InOpera Group, comments: “It was a real pleasure to be asked and involved in this beautiful refurbishment project. We have years of experience advising and supplying a range of fine flooring solutions, whether Porcelain, Granite, Marble, Quartz or Architectural Terrazzo as we did at Quadrant Arcade. Architectural Terrazzo is a wonderful product and ideal for heavy use retail applications in busy locations like Piccadilly.”
InOpera Group Architectural Terrazzo cement is a precast material of recycled marble chipping bonded together with cement and pigments. Manufactured in large slabs and blocks using the latest vacuum patented technology, it is ideal for flooring and wall applications.
The redeveloped arcade is looking to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating against the BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit Out 2014 methodology.
