IKEA UK has announced a revised opening date for its new Oxford Street store, now set for spring 2025. The delay comes as renovations intensify on the historic Grade II listed building spanning seven floors, which will house the new city store. The project is led by Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, the principal retailer of IKEA.
The comprehensive renovation efforts are geared towards achieving top-tier sustainable certifications from BREEAM, a leading sustainability assessment method. This includes preserving the architectural integrity of the over a century-old building while ensuring minimal disruption to neighbouring businesses.
The complexity of the renovation has escalated with new challenges, such as the recent discovery of water ingress in the lower basement level. This issue has necessitated additional remedial work to prevent future flooding risks. “IKEA Oxford Street is a unique project, involving the sensitive and sustainable upgrade of a Grade II listed building that is over a hundred years old. Following the discovery of an unforeseen water ingress issue, we’re now taking vital steps to mitigate long-term flood risk, and to protect and future-proof this historic building for many years to come,” stated Peter van der Poel, Managing Director of Ingka Investments.
Recent advancements in the renovation include the replacement of old fossil fuel gas-fired boilers with more efficient air source heat pumps, a complete overhaul of the building’s electrical, plumbing, and fire safety systems, and the transformation of upper floors into office spaces. Additionally, the installation of secondary glazing and the cleaning of the building’s facade have been completed, allowing for the removal of the large FRAKTA bag hoarding.
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Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA UK, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s progress and the public’s anticipation. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the interest and excitement generated around our Oxford Street opening. The historic nature of the building makes its careful renovation more complex, but we want to ensure Londoners that we’re just as excited to open the store as they are to visit it. We look forward to doing so in spring 2025 and contributing to a positive future for London’s most renowned shopping district,” Jelkeby said.
Spanning three floors, the upcoming IKEA Oxford Street will feature an area of 82,000 square feet (7,600 square meters). It will offer approximately 6,000 products, ranging from iconic BILLY bookcases to POKAL glasses. About half of these items will be available for immediate takeaway, while larger furniture pieces will be available for home delivery or collection at various IKEA points across the capital.
