The team behind the transformation of Cantay House in Oxford, Elwood Fund Management, in partnership with Landid, has selected Kingerlee as main contractor on the landmark redevelopment project on Park End Street.
Construction is now underway, with works expected to complete in Spring 2027. Originally designed in 1901 by renowned local architect H.J. Tollit, Cantay House has long been a recognisable feature of Oxford’s West End.
The distinctive red-brick building was first developed as office and warehouse space for furniture removers and depositories firm Archer, Cowley & Co., later becoming known for its 'Cantay Depositories' signage which still forms part of the building’s identity today.
Over the decades, the building evolved through a variety of commercial and leisure uses, but the new redevelopment will see Cantay House carefully restored and repositioned as a vibrant mixed-use destination for today’s occupiers and visitors.
The extensive refurbishment has been designed to retain and celebrate the building’s historic character while delivering 30,059 sq ft of high-quality contemporary work and hospitality space in the heart of the city.
Plans include the creation of Grade A office accommodation, new amenity areas, landscaped terraces and courtyard spaces, alongside a flexible ground-floor venue designed to support both daytime and evening activity.
The reimagining of the building, undertaken by architects Spratley & Partners, has been carefully considered within the context of Oxford’s City and University Conservation Area, with a strong emphasis on sympathetic restoration, sustainability and the retention of important historic features. The scheme will also target high environmental standards, including BREEAM Excellent accreditation and enhanced building performance.
Russ Black, Head of Asset Management, Elwood Fund Management said: “Cantay House is one of Oxford’s most characterful and recognisable buildings, and we’re incredibly pleased to see work now beginning on site. Our vision has always been to restore the building in a way that respects its heritage while creating something genuinely exciting and relevant for the City today.
“The scheme will deliver exceptional workspace alongside a vibrant hospitality and cultural offer, helping to bring renewed energy to this part of Oxford and creating a destination people will want to spend time in.”
James Silver, Managing Director, Landid added: “Cantay House perfectly reflects Landid’s approach to development, repositioning existing assets to create outstanding offices for the future. With its rich heritage, prime location close to Oxford station and the continued shortage of best-in class office space in the city, this is an incredibly exciting project for us to deliver.”
Darren Arekion, Managing Director, Kingerlee said: “We are delighted to be appointed as the construction partner for this exciting project in a fantastic central-Oxford location. With a strong local presence in Oxford, we are excited to be involved with the delivery of this high-quality office and hospitality space.
"This scheme offers an exciting opportunity to help revitalise the local environment, and we look forward to working closely with Elwood, Landid and the design team, led by Spratley & Partners.”
Cantay House is expected to complete in 2027.