42-46 Fountain Street comprises seven storeys and is currently of mixed use. Constructed around 1987, the building is not listed and is generally modern in both construction and appearance. The ground and first floors are occupied by retail units (Waterstones), while the remaining upper five floors are used as office accommodation. The ground floor façade features three bays: two serving retail tenants and one forming the entrance and reception for the office levels above.

The existing façade is primarily constructed from large-format granite tile cladding with full-height glazing. The office entrance, previously confined and partially obstructed by an ATM enclosure (now removed), was narrow and lacked architectural presence.

Future Proposals

In May 2025, Rathbane Group submitted a planning application (LA04/2025/0704/F) proposing refurbishment of the building’s façade at the ground and first floor levels. The primary aims of the refurbishment are to modernise the building’s street-level appearance and improve functionality and accessibility. The proposals include:

• Removal of existing granite cladding and replacement with contemporary dark grey aluminium panels

• Enhanced glazed frontage with a flush finish for improved visual cohesion

• Redesign of the office entrance to feature a prominent, double-height entry framed with new cladding

• Integrated concealed LED lighting to produce a soft halo effect and improve visibility

• Improved accessibility features, including automatic doors and DDA-compliant circulation spaces

Accessibility and Wayfinding

The refurbishment incorporates accessibility improvements, ensuring compliance with disability access standards. These include:

• Automatic door operation for wheelchair and ambulant users

• Increased internal circulation space

• Dedicated DDA-compliant security lane

• Enhanced entrance visibility through architectural design and lighting features