It was designed by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners and was completed in 1988, on the site of the former Aerated Bread Company Camden Town bakery.

[1][2][3] In 2019 it became the first purpose built supermarket to be Grade II listed for its futuristic architecture.

[4] The present supermarket building at 17-21 Camden Road was completed in 1988 for J Sainsbury, two years after construction began by Wimpey.

Detailed planning permission was granted in May 1986, to designs by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, having been commended by the Royal Fine Art Commission as an "example of bold and enlightened patronage", even though it was opposed by the Regent's Canal Conservation Advisory Group.

[4] Construction was completed in 1988 and the store was opened on 12 December 1988 by the then Sainsbury's Joint Managing Director Joe Barnes.