107 Cheapside

London, EC2V

Considerate retrofits: A significant office upgrade in a fully occupied building

This project serves as a testament to the increasing demand for live refurbishments. On the City of London’s main high street, 107 Cheapside underwent a significant upgrade to improve sustainability and amenity, with minimal disruption to the tenants.

The scope of work included the main entrance portal, reception and lift lobbies; end of trip facilities and mechanical upgrades to improve the buildings sustainability credentials.

Setting this project apart is its successful execution while the building remained fully occupied during the entirety of the refurbishment, with credit to a well-considered access and waste strategy. To help minimize disruption to tenants, the main reception and lift lobbies were split down the middle, with one half sectioned off for construction, and the other remaining the main circulation route for building occupants.

As Laura Walton aptly remarks, “There is an increasing need to retrofit buildings as the industry’s duty to address climate change becomes more urgent. Projects like 107 Cheapside exemplify this necessity, and are going to become increasingly common, particularly with energy demand reduction measures at the forefront.”

The main reception area of 107 Cheapside is designed to offer a serene retreat amidst the bustling energy of Cheapside. Positioned prominently on the City of London’s main high street, with iconic landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral nearby and the historic St Mary Le Bow church opposite.

Upon entering through the main portal, guests are greeted by a generously proportioned double-height space that has been thoughtfully modernized and refined. The use of high-quality terrazzo cladding, softly illuminated, adds to the building's presence within the vibrant streetscape.

Inside, the double-height space draws the gaze upward towards an abstract, celestial luminaire that pays homage to the zodiacal stone motifs adorning the building’s exterior façade. This blend of modern design elements with historical inspiration creates a unique ambiance for visitors and occupants alike.

For the reception area, natural sustainable materials, such as clay lime plaster and fluted timber have been used to form a robust datum, which wraps the entirety of the ground floor. The mezzanine level is clad in the same timber on the fascia and ceiling and cove lighting has been used to make this floor level appear as floating.

To the right of the reception is a seating area, where Bla Station’s ‘Arc’ felt panelling is fitted above and is treated as a feature art piece. The panels mirror the form of the fluted timber and improve the acoustic performance of the reception.

To promote well being and mindfulness within the project, biophilia and a carefully considered colour palette of lime-washed oak, white clay plaster and blush leather have been used.

Photographs | Timothy Soar

Location

London, EC2V

Client

Invesco

Sector

Office, Retail

Year

2023