The architects have been in touch.

"We have now had access to the Westminster archive file and write with information on the signs that pre-date the current sign.
 
There is a lot of interesting correspondence from 1935 when the first pre-planning application went in to establish if the site was suitable for development. This filled me with anticipation as I thought there would be drawings associated with this - unfortunately not. Next stop the RIBA library.
 
The earliest info in relation to signage in the council file is the attached photograph from 1991 and survey drawing of the building in 1993 prior to the 1994 application Ref: 94/06/587/FULL –which included the chrome sign.
 
So at this point the earliest information we have on the signage is the Getty Images photograph from 1976.
 
In summary:

The B&W photo attached shows the original prominent Hammer sign at first floor level from 18th June 1976
The B&W photo attached is stamped 14th January 1991
The survey drawing attached is from November 1993
The chrome sign currently there was installed in 1994 Planning Ref: 94/06/587/FULL
 
I must stress that everyone involved in the project is very clear that the Hammer House name should be as prominent as possible – there was never any intention of removing the Hammer House name, quite the contrary.

The project will go on into early 2026 so there is plenty of time for us to discuss the signage and work together to make the name as prominent as possible.