The Allergy Centre of Excellence London, 10 Duchess Street

Located on a quiet street just off Harley Street, 10 Duchess Street is a striking Grade II listed white-fronted building with 1920s Art Deco elegance. The centre is ideally situated in London’s medical district and close to Great Ormond Street Hospital—making it easily accessible to patients travelling from across the UK.

JBH Refurbishments was engaged early in the process, surveying the site at 10 Duchess Street before the lease was even signed. This early involvement allowed us to advise on layout, planning consent, finishes, and interior design.

We worked closely with the Centre’s Managing Director, Chloe Eburn BSc MBA, taking a collaborative approach to ensure she was supported throughout the project and that we could swiftly respond to evolving requirements.

Previously used as a school with classrooms, a canteen, and washrooms, the five-storey building required a complete reconfiguration to become a fully functioning clinical environment. Our remit included full strip-out, design, and build.

ACE had a clear vision for how the space should function. We worked closely with stakeholders to design a layout that included:

• A welcoming reception for patients, including families with children

• Lift access across all five storeys for disabled access and pushchairs

• An on-site pharmacy for integrated treatment services

• A dedicated phlebotomy room

• A large day-patient area, including a testing kitchen, emergency response unit, and waiting area

• Sufficient consultancy rooms with wash stations and hygienic finishes

• DDA-compliant and unisex washrooms with baby change facilities on each floor

• Waiting rooms across four levels with tea and coffee stations

• Staff offices, canteen, storage rooms, and cupboards

• A high-spec HVAC system for optimal temperature and air quality

We developed multiple design concepts and layout iterations, refining them to align with the Centre’s clinical and aesthetic goals.

The finished space strikes a balance between clinical functionality and luxury design. Upon entry, visitors are welcomed by a black and white reception area softened with marble finishes and grey herringbone flooring.

Throughout the space, design elements elevate the environment—from recessed LED lighting and refined flooring to black detailing and integrated Grade II listed features like archways, a glass atrium, and traditional window frames.

Waiting areas are open-plan with kitchenettes, games, and toys for families. Consultancy rooms prioritise hygiene and practicality, with:

• Pull-out branded privacy blinds adding colour and personality

• Easy-clean cap-and-cove flooring

• Individual sinks

• Bright LED lighting

For staff, the basement houses a sleek kitchen with high-gloss grey units, integrated appliances, and instant boiling water taps. Each floor also includes well-appointed washrooms with grey tiling, black concealed cisterns, LED-lit mirrors, and modern vanity units.

This complex clinical fit-out followed a structured 10-stage process:

1. Site survey

2. Concept development & final design

3. Planning permissions

4. Detailed project scheduling

5. Full strip-out

6. First fix – electrics, plumbing, HVAC

7. Carpentry & partitions

8. Second fix – finishes, flooring, fittings

9. Painting & decorating

10. Snagging & handover

The project was guided not by strict timelines but by a commitment to quality and getting the layout right.

As the UK’s first clinic of its kind, changes were expected. Flexibility was critical to keeping the project on track.

Midway, the number of consultancy rooms increased from 12 to 19. To accommodate this, we:

• Extended the mezzanine on the third floor

• Adjusted the ground floor layout, reducing pharmacy space

This gained valuable space for:

• Phlebotomy

• Additional waiting areas

• Three extra consultancy rooms

• Administration offices

• Dispensary

Our ability to adapt ensured the Centre met its evolving requirements without significant delays.

This project was a tremendous success. The client was delighted—not only with the final outcome, but with the transparent communication, collaborative process, and value we delivered.

From concept to completion, the Allergy Centre of Excellence is a landmark in UK healthcare design—and a testament to JBH Refurbishments’ expertise in clinical fit-outs.