LEON, Old Compton Street

  • RBA Client:LEON Restaurants Ltd
  • Contractor:Shone Building
  • Architect:Fusion Design and Architecture
  • Project Size:350m²

LEON is a London based restaurant chain which champions food that is fresh, seasonal, locally sourced and served in a fast food style. After success of previous restaurants, LEON sought permission to use the basement and ground floors of an existing commercial unit on Old Compton Street, London for it's newest addition to the chain.

Following the submission of an initial planning application, permission was granted subject to a number of conditions. The premises is located within the Soho Conservation Area and the West End Stress Area which resulted in the Local Authority requiring consideration to the impact of the restaurant on the existing residential amenity as well as the character and function of the area. RBA were appointed by Fusion DNA to advise on both noise transfer from the restaurant to the existing residential properties upstairs and mechanical services plant on the immediate vicinity. 

To provide the required information, we undertook visits to the premises to establish the existing floor build-up between the ground floor and first floor.  Invasive investigations were able to establish the basis of the separating floor, to allow an estimation of the existing sound insulating performance. In order to calculate potential sound levels within the residential property, noise levels were recorded at a branch of LEON similar in size and layout to that of Old Compton Street. From this analysis, proposed upgrades were specified to ensure there would be no disturbance to the flat above.

As the fit-out of the restaurant progressed, music could be heard during live lunchtime performances at the famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, that lay adjacent to the building. RBA were asked to visit the site once more to determine whether live music within the club was likely to have an impact on the successful operation of the restaurant.  Sound levels readings from both inside the restaurant and venue were undertaken so we could reach our conclusions.

Photos courtesy of Fusion DNA