Q&A with Daniel Beard

Continuing the Q&A series with key figures from The Howard de Walden Estate

Following the news that the refurbishment of 142-146 Harley Street is nearly complete, we caught up with Projects Surveyor Dan Beard to discuss the project and the latest developments across the Estate.

Dan, it’s great to see that the refurbishment of 142-146 Harley Street is nearly complete, what can you tell us about this project?

We recognised that the interconnectivity of these three buildings could allow the opportunity for a medical provider to occupy the space in its entirety, in a market where buildings of this nature and capacity are slightly more difficult to come by. Our refurbishment has equipped the building with all of the modern amenities required for a best-in-class medical occupier, with the mews buildings at the rear on Park Crescent Mews West providing the staff facilities, ancillary space and bike storage.

What were the main challenges of the project?

The main challenge, as it stands with a lot of our work across the Harley Street Medical Area (HSMA), was to provide a building that is modern, relevant and suitable for the country’s leading private medical practitioners to work from whilst respecting the buildings fabric and heritage. It is over 240 years old and Grade II listed, so we had to be extremely respectful of its heritage properties.

Our highly experienced team were able to carefully restore the original architectural features such as cornices, fireplaces, window shutters, whilst adding modern elements which equip the building for medical use, including the conversion of Mews Garage to an electrical substation, and the provision of lift-off lavender beds above large diagnostic rooms to allow for easier lifting in and future replacement of large heavy diagnostic equipment such as MRI and CT scanners. We also had to carefully design and place an external AC and ventilation plant in a manner which reduced impact on the external appearance. All of these presented varying challenges for our team.

We hear that the building has some historical relevance, can you tell us more about that?

Yes, it does! Lionel Logue, the Australian speech and language therapist and amateur stage actor who helped King George VI manage his stammer practiced his pioneering speech therapy from here. Geoffrey Rush played him in 2010 film The Kings Speech. It’s a real privilege for us to help restore these spaces to their original glory and extend the life of these historic gems.

Are there any other particular projects that you are involved with that you are particularly excited about? What’s the best part of your role?

We are in the midst of progressing the initial designs on a couple of really interesting medical and life science schemes in Portland Place and Harley Street. Both of which will complement the numerous existing medical specialisms that can already be found across the Harley Street Medical Area, and will help to keep our local area relevant and desirable to work in for the next generation of medical practitioners.

Finally, what are your favourite spots in Marylebone Village?

It would have to be The Coach Makers Arms pub on Marylebone Lane and Tommi’s Burger Joint on Thayer Street. It’s my go-to at the end of a busy week.