Mini Hungerford

The Brief

Our aim is to revitalise the long-standing Hungerford site, setting out to modernise the MINI showroom and workshop while incorporating the historic former Sun Inn building into the development. The project also needed to enhance both customer and staff experience, preserve the character of the conservation area, and improve site layout, access, parking, and landscaping. As experienced car showroom architects, Pier Architects were tasked with balancing the functional requirements of a high-performance dealership with sensitive integration into Hungerford’s historic fabric.

The Work

The design evolved through consultation with planners and the local council. We created a new scheme that connects the extended showroom to the former Sun Inn with a glazed link, maintaining the character of the street while providing a seamless dealership layout. The workshop was reorganised with low-profile extensions and a tiled roof to minimise visual impact.

Landscaping became a key feature of the development. A rain garden and frontage planting replaced hardstanding areas, improving biodiversity and softening views from the high street. Careful material choices balanced both MINI and BMW’s brand standards with sympathetic finishes.

The Sun Inn was preserved as part of the design. Its roofline, signage, and historic details remain intact while the interior provides new customer hospitality and meeting space for the dealership. This approach secures the future of a local heritage building while improving the functionality of the site.

The redevelopment strengthens Dick Lovett’s presence in Hungerford, protecting more than forty jobs and creating new opportunities. Sustainability was central to the project, which we are aiming to achieve BREEAM Excellent and zero-carbon standards. The completed scheme modernises the dealership, enhances the town’s streetscape, and demonstrates how skilled car showroom architects can combine heritage, function, and sustainability in one design.