164-182, OXFORD STREET W1

Nos. 164 to 182 on Oxford Street is a former department store, now used as offices, built between 1905 and 1906 by Frank Atkinson with advice from R. Norman Shaw for Waring and Gillow's. The building features red brick with elaborate stone dressings and a slate roof, showcasing a free Renaissance style with intricate details inspired by Hampton Court, reflecting the store's grand ambitions. It stands four lofty storeys high, including a ground floor and mezzanine podium, with two tiers of dormered attics beneath a steep hipped roof. The central bay contains 11 windows raised to five storeys under a segmental pediment, while the return elevations display similar detailing before leading to a simpler rear on Eastcastle Street. The ground floor has bronze-framed display windows, articulated by a stone arcade that connects to the mezzanine. The upper floors are adorned with elaborately carved stone window surrounds, including giant oeil-de-boeuf windows on the third floor with foliage enrichment, and an arcaded top floor. The building is capped with a deeply carved and projecting modillion eaves cornice.