Damien Hirst refits his new £40m Soho headquarters, set to open early next year
Artist Damien Hirst has a “blank canvas” to rework his new £40m building in the heart of London’s Soho.
Hirst’s new flagship studio and art complex is expected to go through a major overhaul to match his needs and vision before opening in the early part of next year.
The second floor of the new building on Beak Street will be taken out to give it a “cathedral-like” 10-metre high ceiling.
Its art deco facade, which uses more than 100 different bespoke glazed bricks, was part of a £20m three-year development, which Hirst bought for £40m.
The site was formerly an Edwardian-era police station, which had in the past also been used to house unmarried police officers.
The station was the base for officers investigating a series of Soho murders during the Blitz.
Rakan McKinnon, founder of developer Landcap, said: “The bespoke hand-glazed bricks and meticulous architecture create the perfect inspirational environment for the creative group of Damien Hirst.
“This new art destination, helps to bring back the artistic energy and creativity Soho was so renowned for.”
Farid Alizadeh, of co-developer Enstar Capital, said: “This project has been an incredible journey from inception to delivery. The result is extraordinary and a real architectural gem.
“We are delighted that our unique development will be home to the most celebrated living British artist.”
The studio was reportedly bought through Hirst’s art production company Science (UK) Ltd, which has recently laid off 50 employees.
“These changes are not driven by a need to reduce costs but by his desire to cut the corporate elements of the business to get back to a simpler way of working,” a spokesperson told the Art Newspaper.
Hirst, who at one point employed 250 people, is famous for selling over £100m of art at auction the same day as Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy.