The site is located in the heart of Victoria, adjacent to Victoria Station, bounded by Wilton Road on its east and Hudson’s Place on its west. Bridge Place ran through the site as an underpass.
The old building on the site was of very poor quality. It was widely accepted that this building did little to complement the character of the area or the icon status of Victoria Station and was thus demolished.
The building had little to no active frontage at ground level. This made its ground floor impermeable, unwelcoming for pedestrians limited it's contribution to the local character and economy.
The building provided a very poor public realm and pedestrian experience. Along Wilton Road and Hudson’s Place, columns came down into the middle of the pavement, making it difficult to navigate.
Hudson’s Place served as a parking area for vans and other small vehicles servicing Victoria Station. It was underused and offered no amenities for rail passengers or local residents.
Sadly, the site was plagued by anti-social behaviour, including drinking, drug-taking, and people sleeping rough under Bridge Place.
