The opening of Ikea's new Oxford Street store in London has been postponed to spring 2025 due to a water leak issue in the basement. Initially set for autumn 2023, this marks the second delay for the store's launch. The Ikea store is set to occupy the former site of Topshop's flagship store at 214 Oxford Street, a Grade-II listed building acquired by Ingka Investments after Topshop's parent company, Arcadia, entered administration.
The renovation, described as “hugely complex” by Ikea, involves both the store setup and the creation of four floors of office space in the historic building, over a century old. Despite significant progress across all seven floors, unexpected conditions including the recently discovered basement water leak have required additional work to mitigate long-term flood risks and protect the structure.
Ikea spokespeople emphasized the unique challenges of this project due to the building's age and historical significance, expressing a commitment to a thorough and sustainable renovation process. They also reiterated their excitement about contributing positively to the future of one of London’s most renowned shopping districts, despite the setbacks.