This week, the Burlington Arcade celebrated its 200th anniversary.
But we wonder how many visitors who stroll through the arcade today realise that its striking stone floor is a very recent addition?
Built in 2016, the new floor was designed by Jamie Fobert Architects. The ambiguity – is it old? is it new? – is intentional. It does not compete with the Regency architecture, but responds sympathetically in terms of geometry, tonal variation and craftsmanship. We are delighted when visitors assume that it too has been there for 200 years.