The Hop Exchange, Southwark
The Hop Exchange, Southwark
We provided heritage advice for two schemes at The Hop Exchange in Southwark, on behalf of both the building’s owner and the award-winning restaurant chain Dishoom.
Originally constructed in 1867 as a central hub for the hop trade, the building is a Grade II listed asset located within the Borough High Street Conservation Area. Its most significant features include the Southwark Street façade, the ornate entrance porch, and the trading hall with decorative ironwork galleries. The building’s history is deeply tied to Southwark’s evolution as a commercial centre, particularly its role in the hop industry due to its proximity to Kent and the City of London. The building was later adapted for office use by Peer Group from 1985.
The proposed works to the building were to enhance accessibility, restore architectural features, and improve internal office spaces while respecting the building’s heritage. These included the refurbishment of office suites, services upgrades, a new lift, atrium works, and rooftop additions. While some interventions involve minor harm - such as the removal of limited historic fabric for ducting and lift installation - we argued that these could be balanced by public benefits such as improved access and long-term viability. The atrium works in particular, including a new glazed roof, were considered restorative.
We then advised Dishoom for its proposed new restaurant within building’s western end. The proposal included introducing a new entrance on Southwark Street, internal modifications for accessibility, and new openings at the rear to connect with Park Street, aligning with Southwark Council’s ‘low line’ strategy. We demonstrated that as part of the scheme, the rear railway viaduct, previously under-appreciated, would be enhanced through improved access and sympathetic design.
Client: Peer Group/Dishoom
Architects: Resident Architects (Peer Group scheme) and Macaulay Sinclair (Dishoom)