MoreySmith, the award-winning design and architecture studio, has published a new report setting out the kind of office its biggest clients are now asking for: a workplace designed for the age of artificial intelligence, with human connection at its centre. Titled Workplace 3.0: Intentionality, Longevity and the Third Era of
Flexible workspace provider Canvas Offices has announced the latest addition to its growing portfolio with the opening of Kingsbourne House at 229-231 High Holborn, just seconds from Holborn station, in the heart of London. The newest location is close to existing Canvas spaces, 175 High Holborn and 88 Kingsway and
Singapore-based fashion manufacturer Q Collection has completed works on its new UK HQ in Ashby. Q Collection manufactures apparel and textiles for international fashion brands and retailers, specialising in high-quality, sustainable production. With a need for a UK centre of excellence to grow the UK-based team, expand its operations, enhance
BW: Workplace Experts (BW) is introducing mandatory raspberry hi-vis for subcontractor operatives across all its new fit out projects, creating a standardised identification system which is currently spanning 14 live sites and 137 supply chain partners. The London-based fit out contractor is implementing the raspberry hi-vis for all subcontractor operatives
This summer will see the thoughtful refurbishment of Mercury – a prominent 1950s building on Theobalds Road – move forward at pace, in a positive signal to the London office market. Originally designed by Stanley Gordon Jeeves, Orms Architects, in collaboration with Note Design Studio, are now breathing new life
Leading office interior design consultancy, OP, has completed the fit out of CBRE’s new Birmingham office at 3 Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham. The project spans 16,549 sq ft within one of the city’s most architecturally striking new buildings. When CBRE made the decision to relocate from their previous home at
Advanced automation proves integral to daily operations for iconic London landmark Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), the global leader in enterprise physical security software, today announced 40 Leadenhall has deployed Genetec™ Security Center and Genetec Mission Control™ to create a seamless modern experience for visitors and tenants. Located in the capital’s insurance
Legendre UK has been appointed as main contractor for a major office refurbishment scheme at 10 Salisbury Square in the City of London, marking another high profile project within the capital’s commercial retrofit market. The scheme will transform the existing six storey building into a high quality workspace totalling approximately
BW Interiors Limited, the trading name of BW: Workplace Experts (BW), has reported a 132% increase in pre-tax profit to £13.9 million for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025. The London office fit out and design and build specialists are now targeting £500 million turnover by 2030. BW attributes
Consent enables both office and educational /conference use on the two lower floors widening the building’s appeal Addington, the property investor and asset manager, and its US joint venture partner Strategic Value Partners LLC and its affiliates (“SVP”), have successfully obtained a multi-use planning consent from the City of London
MoreySmith, the award-winning design and architecture studio, has published a new report setting out the kind of office its biggest clients are now asking for: a workplace designed for the age of artificial intelligence, with human connection at its centre. Titled Workplace 3.0: Intentionality, Longevity and the Third Era of Workplace Design, the report’s central argument is that two forces have reset the purpose of the office. The pandemic severed the assumed link between employment and the building. Artificial intelligence is now dissolving the link between productivity and human input – automating routine cognitive work, streamlining how teams operate and opening new channels for ideation. As that happens, productivity becomes an insufficient reason for an office to exist. What remains irreducible, MoreySmith argues, is genuine human community: the proximity, mentorship and relationships that remote working cannot replicate. Judgement, taste and serendipity only emerge when people are physically and socially together. The office is not just where people feel connected, it is where original thinking happens. It is why a growing number of organisations are asking employees to spend more time together. This is why the office must now earn that presence through the experience it offers rather than simply expecting it. The report frames this moment as the third era of workplace design. Workplace 1.0 was defined by efficiency: the cellular, corridor-based offices of the twentieth century, where space reflected hierarchy. Workplace 2.0 was a reaction – the open-plan, hot-desking, beanbag-and-slide aesthetic of the Silicon Valley campus, designed, in MoreySmith’s view, to be photographed rather than inhabited. Both, it argues, were built implicitly to be replaced when the next idea arrived. Workplace 3.0 is defined instead by intentionality. The most successful workplaces today feel less like corporate infrastructure and more like human environments, drawing on the design languages of hospitality and residential living: lobbies that encourage people to linger, thresholds that create a sense of arrival, biophilic planting and natural materials, rooftop terraces, and social spaces closer to a members’ club than a corporate common room. MoreySmith calls these “destination buildings” — places people actively choose, because they offer something no screen can. Crucially, the report makes the case that intentional design also endures. Robust, timeless interiors can be refined every ten to fifteen years rather than wholly replaced, allowing a single building to accommodate successive eras of work – a more sustainable and more valuable proposition for owners and occupiers alike. The commercial evidence is drawn from MoreySmith’s portfolio of investor clients. Following its redesign of Two Fitzroy Place in Fitzrovia, rents rose by approximately 50 percent with comparable uplifts recorded across projects for AshbyCapital, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Lazari – from 45 Pall Mall and 20 Rathbone Place to 23 Savile Row and Maple House – each repositioned into a higher rental bracket while extending its commercial life rather than being replaced. The argument is made most clearly at The Harewood in Mayfair – a building MoreySmith first redeveloped in 2011 and returned to fifteen years later, after J.P. Morgan Asset Management acquired it in 2024. Much of the original work was still standing firm; the new scheme is additive rather than wholesale, with a refined material palette, a reimagined entrance built on foundations laid more than a decade earlier. It reopened in spring 2026 as a 26,000 sq ft boutique office. Linda Morey-Burrows, Founder and Principal Director of MoreySmith, said: “In the age of AI, the office has to offer more than simply being a place people are expected to be. If technology can take on the routine, then the reason to gather must be rooted in something more meaningful: the passing on of knowledge, the rituals of culture and the particular alchemy that happens when people think alongside one another. “For us, the task is to make spaces that hold that possibility. Places with atmosphere, intelligence and soul. Places that slow people down, invite conversation and remind them that their presence is not incidental, but part of something shared and considered. “That same thinking is inseparable from longevity. The projects we value most are those we can return to years later and find they have not only endured, but continued to work beautifully. Truly considered design is not led by trends. It has structure, character and intent. It can be adapted, layered and refined over time, rather than stripped out and replaced. That is where design becomes both more sustainable and more valuable — for our clients, for the buildings themselves, and for the planet.” Lucie Greene, Trends Forecaster and Cultural Strategist, said: “The boundaries between work, leisure and community are dissolving, and the most forward-thinking spaces are already responding. The next generation of workplaces will feel less like offices and more like living environments – places that adapt around people’s rhythms and sustain a sense of community. In a world where individual productivity can happen anywhere, the office has to become something more: a space people genuinely choose, because it gives them something no screen ever can.” MoreySmith argues that the term Workplace 3.0 is gaining traction across business media, HR consultancy and real estate investment, but has not yet been claimed by the design community until now. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Flexible workspace provider Canvas Offices has announced the latest addition to its growing portfolio with the opening of Kingsbourne House at 229-231 High Holborn, just seconds from Holborn station, in the heart of London. The newest location is close to existing Canvas spaces, 175 High Holborn and 88 Kingsway and officially opens its doors in July. Kingsbourne House is within walking distance of Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road and other iconic destinations and demand is already strong with demand from interest from a diverse range of clientele. The building itself, a grand Edwardian facade with six floors, including a gym in the basement area, has undergone an internal transformation led by Canvas’ in-house design team, staying true to its ‘homeification’ design philosophy, creating a home away from home. The refurb focuses on natural light, bespoke furnishings, and a state of the art gym in the basement, designed to enhance wellbeing. Businesses can also take advantage of the building’s expansive rooftop terrace, a highly sought after feature and a rare luxury in the heart of Central London. The space contains private offices, ranging from 12 persons to 145 persons, providing impressive views of the capital. Included in the business rates are meeting rooms, phone booths, access to communal and breakout spaces as well as the fitness centre. Yaron Rosenblum, Co-founder and CEO of Canvas Offices, commented:“The opening of Kingsbourne House represents another significant step in our growth across London. This building embodies everything Canvas stands for- exceptional workspace, thoughtful design, and a flexible environment that supports the evolving needs of today’s businesses. We are incredibly proud to welcome businesses to Kingsbourne House to enjoy a home away from home with Canvas.” Established in 2018, Canvas Offices is underpinned by a growing team of industry experts. Their 16 locations across London include Shoreditch, Farringdon, Holborn and Mayfair and are home to hundreds of ever-expanding businesses such as influential brands like Rough Trade, Football Co, Freixenet and Von Dutch. For more information about Canvas Offices and its new Kingsbourne House space, visit canvasoffices.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Singapore-based fashion manufacturer Q Collection has completed works on its new UK HQ in Ashby. Q Collection manufactures apparel and textiles for international fashion brands and retailers, specialising in high-quality, sustainable production. With a need for a UK centre of excellence to grow the UK-based team, expand its operations, enhance its technology, and a space to welcome clients, the manufacturer identified Ashby as the right location in the heart of the Midlands to realise its plans. Located in Excelsior House on Excelsior Road in the town, local workplace consultancy Blueprint Interiors was appointed to deliver internal design and fit out of the 7,000 sq ft space. After an eight-week fit out phase, Q Collection now has a state-of-the-art office, design and manufacturing facility which includes a lingerie lab, with 14 sewing machines, cutting tables, cup moulders and a dark room, and a knitting lab, with four full-size knitting machines, steam press and yarn library. Other features include a fit room, where garments can be modelled and photographed, connected to a presentation area with tiered seating, next to a runway. This space allows for co-creation sessions, bringing designers and customers together to realise garments and 3D modelling technology to develop new collections. Q Collection also has its new client lounge, which can be set up as a showroom or bespoke retail experience to display collections, with large video conferencing set up for global communications. During the works, Blueprint encouraged Q Collection to pursue a SKA certification – an environmental assessment method developed specifically for commercial office fit outs, that helps landlords and tenants to measure sustainability across factors like energy and water use, CO2 emissions, materials, waste and pollution. The project successfully secured a SKA Silver certification. Alongside partner TecInteractive, Blueprint and Q Collection developed a ‘Virtual Quality Lab’ – a unique space with high resolution, high zoom cameras with links into the manufacturer’s Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh sites, where colleagues can use the technology to see the samples in the labs from thousands of miles away, enabling them to make faster decision, saving time and costs. Boutaina Faruq, Director at Q Collection, said: “This investment reflects our long-term commitment to the UK market, our global brand partners and to innovation and sustainability. “Our dedicated team was also a primary factor in creating a space that truly puts people first. We wanted to acknowledge their commitment and design a workplace around them, which inspires creativity, supports wellbeing, and enables our people to do their best work in the space that they need. “Blueprint are visionaries and were easy and dynamic to work with from day one. We thought we knew what we wanted and what was possible until we met with Chloe and the team. They really took us to the next level with their expertise of workspaces that put wellbeing and productivity front and centre. It was a real collaboration and an incredible end result. “Excelsior House is already strengthening collaboration, accelerating innovation, making us more efficient and is bringing us closer to our customers. We are proud to be a manufacturing business in Ashby.” This is the third project Blueprint has delivered for Q Collection, having also worked on the design of its head office in Singapore, and a new 50 head count office facility in Sri Lanka. Chloe Sproston, Creative Director at Blueprint Interiors, said: “We are proud to have had the opportunity to work with Boutaina and the team at Q Collection again on what is a really bespoke and innovative project. Securing the SKA Silver rating is a particular highlight, allowing us to realise our passion for truly sustainable fit out into reality. “Providing Cat B design and fit out services on a significant single-storey space was a real opportunity to create something special, which would meet and surpass Q Collection’s objectives. We’ve challenged ourselves at every level to deliver a really exciting project. “As a team we took the time to fully understand the intricacies of Q Collections operations and this included on the ground research here and abroad. Blending this with our knowledge of how people work, and how to create memorable and successful workplace experiences – for colleagues and visitors – we guided Boutaina and the team on what’s possible. “The new UK HQ is an incredible open-plan space, separated into zones to enable workflow and collaboration. Every element has a purpose from the furniture to the fixtures and fittings and can be moved and adapted as the space evolves. This was a highly unique and technical project which provides the best possible environment for the team, and a place for clients to partake in the co-creation process of garments.” Q Collection is looking at further expansion in the Midlands and wants to encourage more manufacturing companies back to the region to create British-made products. Boutaina adds: “The Midlands used to be a centre for apparel manufacturing and we see great opportunity for firms operating in the space, like us, to bring this back. We are working to support students wanting to learn the skills needed for a career in fashion design and production and are investing in the next generation who will hopefully enable this movement to grow and scale.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BW: Workplace Experts (BW) is introducing mandatory raspberry hi-vis for subcontractor operatives across all its new fit out projects, creating a standardised identification system which is currently spanning 14 live sites and 137 supply chain partners. The London-based fit out contractor is implementing the raspberry hi-vis for all subcontractor operatives working across its new project sites, forming part of a three-colour identification system. BW project teams wear black hi-vis, visitors wear white, and subcontractor operatives wear raspberry. In the past 30 days alone, more than 1,660 operatives from 137 partner companies have signed in across BW sites, accounting for almost 19,000 individual site entries by its supply chain. On active fit out and refurbishment projects, where multiple trades and subcontractors often work simultaneously, clear identification plays an important role in supporting day-to-day coordination, emergency response and workforce wellbeing. BW’s colour-coded system gives site teams an immediate reference point to understand who is on site and their relationship to the project. Lorna Killick, Head of Business Transformation at BW: Workplace Experts, said: “On a busy site, you can have dozens of people from different companies working in the same space. Knowing who is on site, who they work for and whether they’re supposed to be there is an important part of running a safe, well-managed project. “We wanted a system that reinforced our commitment to Defect Free project journeys by enhancing the full site experience from day one. Where safety messages sometimes blend into the background, particularly in environments where people are exposed to the same visual cues every day, raspberry is an unmistakeable signal of a BW site member. It stands out. “This isn’t about changing hi-vis for the sake of it. It’s about creating consistency across our projects and supply chain. The colour is becoming a shorthand for accountability, familiarity and looking out for each other.” Unlike project-specific branded PPE, which is commonplace in the industry, the standardised raspberry hi-vis can be used by operatives as they move between BW projects. This creates a consistent experience for returning supply chain partners while reducing the waste associated with single-project PPE that cannot be used elsewhere. To mark the roll-out of the initiative, BW has launched a ‘Raspberry Week’ campaign from 22-26 June 2026, turning its logo, website, sites and support centre raspberry to highlight the thinking behind the policy and encourage conversation about visibility and accountability in live construction environments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This summer will see the thoughtful refurbishment of Mercury – a prominent 1950s building on Theobalds Road – move forward at pace, in a positive signal to the London office market. Originally designed by Stanley Gordon Jeeves, Orms Architects, in collaboration with Note Design Studio, are now breathing new life into the building to create 98,000 sq ft of design-led sustainable workspace that both embraces a contemporary, adaptable approach to office design and honours the building’s mid-century heritage. Planning permission was granted in late 2024 and 2026 marks another key milestone for the project, with Faithdean appointed as the main contractor. Once complete in late 2027, Mercury will provide 11 exceptionally refurbished floors of flexible workspace, alongside street level activations including enhanced public realm and a public cafe on the south west corner. Central to the scheme is a circular sustainability strategy, focused on re-use and repurpose, with retention of 90% of the existing structural frame and 80% of the original stone façade. Low-quality 1990s additions will also be removed to further restore the neoclassical modern appearance of the original building. Inside, the building has been reconsidered to prioritise flexibility, connectivity and natural light, including a six-story central atrium. Enhanced floorplates and integrated ceiling track systems will create a series of adaptable office suites that enable occupiers to evolve layouts as and when needed. All windows open, supporting mixed-mode ventilation and fresh air. The scheme is intentionally designed to deliver a beautiful, high-quality working environment and a lifestyle space, responding to the fundamental shifts in occupier needs as businesses navigate the return to the office and place greater value on the need for in-person experience. A curated ecosystem of shared amenity spaces sits at both the top and bottom of the building. These include a top-floor pavilion with terrace, a sunken courtyard lounge, a gym and cycle facilities, and newly landscaped external spaces to the front and rear, designed as integral parts of the building rather than add-ons. Sam Elliott (Development Director), comments: “Mercury is a clear statement of confidence in Midtown. By retaining and enhancing a remarkable 1950s structure, we are delivering nearly 100,000 sq ft of design-led workspace that blends heritage, sustainability and the flexibility that modern occupiers demand. The building has been carefully reimagined to provide light-filled, adaptable floorplates anchored by a dramatic central atrium and a curated amenity offer. With Faithdean appointed as main contractor, we are now firmly focused on delivering that vision to the highest standard.” Mercury is due to open its doors in late 2027. The appointed agents are Cushman & Wakefield, Farebrother and Levy Real Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading office interior design consultancy, OP, has completed the fit out of CBRE’s new Birmingham office at 3 Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham. The project spans 16,549 sq ft within one of the city’s most architecturally striking new buildings. When CBRE made the decision to relocate from their previous home at Temple Row, OP supported them through the entire journey – from the initial location review through to design and delivery. The resulting space draws heavily on the architecture of the building itself, with its distinctive red terracotta façade, fluted cladding and signature OGEE arches all reinterpreted within the interior. Terracotta tones, arched forms and tactile finishes create a clear visual connection between outside and in, giving the office a strong sense of place that feels authentically connected to the city. The design takes CBRE’s workplace philosophy and roots it firmly in Birmingham, creating something grounded and entirely specific to the city and the building. The workplace includes nine meeting rooms, three two-person focus rooms, eight call pods and a dedicated Clientology client engagement space with carefully considered sightlines across Chamberlain Square. Wellbeing is embedded throughout, with a dedicated Parents’ Room and a separate wellness room. Sustainability is central to the design story. Standout features include sculptural trees 3D printed from HS2 clay, the Altrock reception desk formed from reclaimed waste marble, a bespoke terrazzo worktop handcrafted from reclaimed Birmingham materials, and cork flooring. Recycled leather and Impact Cotton acoustic panels alongside cradle-to-cradle certified carpet tiles complete a rigorous material palette. The vast majority of CBRE’s existing furniture was also retained, refurbished and reintroduced – significantly reducing the embodied carbon of the fit out. Bespoke signage throughout tells the story of each element, giving staff and visitors a tangible connection to the thinking behind the space. The building holds BREEAM Excellent and WELL certifications and is the first in Birmingham to achieve a NABERS UK 5 Star Design Reviewed Target Rating. “Our vision was to create a workspace that feels genuinely of Birmingham – drawing on the architecture of the building, the character of the city, and the culture of the people within it. We’re incredibly proud of what this project has become.” Claire Stant, Creative Designer at OP “The new office has truly exceeded our expectations. OP have created a space that feels like a genuine reflection of both Birmingham and our business – full of thoughtful details that our team have really connected with. The feedback from staff and visitors alike has been overwhelmingly positive and we couldn’t be prouder of the result.” Will Ventham, Head of Midlands at CBRE Birmingham Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Advanced automation proves integral to daily operations for iconic London landmark Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), the global leader in enterprise physical security software, today announced 40 Leadenhall has deployed Genetec™ Security Center and Genetec Mission Control™ to create a seamless modern experience for visitors and tenants. Located in the capital’s insurance district, 40 Leadenhall is one of the biggest City of London developments ever to receive planning permission. It spans over 900,000 square feet of commercial office, amenities, and retail space, serving up to 10,000 occupants. A unified security platform formed part of the original performance specification, with Genetec Security Center ultimately selected to give 40 Leadenhall the flexibility to integrate best‑of‑breed hardware and software, support informed decision‑making, and tailor the interface to a wide range of user needs and access privileges. “Genetec is proud to be safeguarding a growing portfolio of flagship buildings across the City of London – including some of its newest and largest developments,” said Viet Tang, Account Executive at Genetec Inc. “40 Leadenhall is a standout example of how forward‑thinking property owners are embracing unified, intelligent security to deliver safer, more efficient and more intuitive environments.” The smart building solution incorporates over 200 cameras, more than 250 doors, and 2,600 data points, all managed through Genetec Security Center and hosted on Genetec Streamvault™ servers and archives. Genetec Mission Control™ further enhances operations by standardising incident response with advanced automation. By integrating with other building systems, it can automatically trigger workflows for events such as power loss, water leaks, or high winds thus enabling teams to respond proactively with timely notifications and targeted actions that help ensure occupant safety. Access control and visitor experience technologies from partners including HID Global, Mercury Communications, and STid help enable seamless navigation throughout the facility. Occupiers can use mobile wallet credentials for frictionless entry, while visitors receive QR‑code passes that remove the need for temporary plastic cards. Integrated cameras from Axis Communications enhance situational awareness across the site. Genetec workstations located throughout the building provide role‑based access for operators. Reception staff can enrol visitors, while control-room security teams can run reports, investigate events, and monitor live video on either dedicated workstations or tablets. “The Genetec security system is easy to use and enables us to deliver a world class service to our occupiers and guests, ensuring occupant wellbeing and building security,” says Stewart Maynard, Smart Systems Manager at 40 Leadenhall. “Collaboration between delivery, systems and service partner teams has helped make 40 Leadenhall a truly smart building.” By uploading interactive floor plans into Security Center, operators can quickly identify devices, investigate activity, or access live video with a single click, significantly reducing training times. The building’s digital experience is further enhanced through integration with the 40 Leadenhall app, powered by VTS Activate. Occupiers can issue virtual visitor passes, receive arrival notifications, and seamlessly access amenities including wellness spaces, cycle facilities and the Peloton studio. “We believe Genetec provides the ideal platform to support 40 Leadenhall’s future growth and technology goals,” concludes Maynard. “The investment in leading technology, supported by strong partnerships, positions 40 Leadenhall at the forefront of innovation.” To read the full customer story, visit: https://www.genetec.com/customer-stories/40-leadenhall Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Legendre UK has been appointed as main contractor for a major office refurbishment scheme at 10 Salisbury Square in the City of London, marking another high profile project within the capital’s commercial retrofit market. The scheme will transform the existing six storey building into a high quality workspace totalling approximately 54,000 sq ft, alongside the addition of two new floors. Upon completion, the development will be known as Oriel St Bride’s. Working on behalf of Original Works, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability and low carbon construction. Around 90 per cent of the existing structure will be retained, significantly reducing embodied carbon while aligning with the growing demand for more environmentally responsible office space. The development has already been recognised for its sustainability credentials, having been selected as part of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Pilot Testing Programme. This reflects the scheme’s ambition to meet evolving environmental benchmarks and support the transition to lower carbon commercial property. Legendre UK’s appointment highlights its expertise in delivering complex cut and carve refurbishments, particularly within constrained urban environments such as the City of London. These projects require careful coordination, technical precision and a detailed understanding of working within existing structures. Thomas Vandecasteele, managing director at Legendre UK, said the project brings together the company’s experience in technically challenging refurbishments with its focus on sustainable delivery. He also highlighted the role of its self delivery MEP approach in supporting programme certainty and quality outcomes. Construction is scheduled to complete in autumn 2027, with the finished scheme expected to set a benchmark for sustainable office refurbishment in the City, while contributing positively to the surrounding urban environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BW Interiors Limited, the trading name of BW: Workplace Experts (BW), has reported a 132% increase in pre-tax profit to £13.9 million for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025. The London office fit out and design and build specialists are now targeting £500 million turnover by 2030. BW attributes its record performance, with turnover increasing by a third to £326.7 million up from £244 million in 2024, to its strong client partnerships and high-quality delivery, supported by a strong central London office market. Companies across the capital are increasingly investing in high-quality workplace fit out as more implement return-to-office strategies. This market strength is reflected in BW’s own financial position as its net assets remain strong at £18 million, and year-end cash reserves stood at £57 million. BW came into 2026 with over £210 million in secured work for the current period and is on target to achieve £375 million turnover in 2026. £42 million has been secured for 2027 to date. The company recently completed one of its largest projects to date, a £63 million office for a tech firm in London and continues to focus on delivering projects of varying sizes, while planning to increase the number of larger schemes over the next five years across its key markets of commercial workplace and higher education, with sustained strength across the legal, tech and private equity sectors. In March 2026, BW moved into its new 16,500 sq ft office at The Carter, close to St Paul’s Cathedral, further reflecting its growth and expansion in the City of London. The BW team has grown from 65 people in 2016 to close to 320 employees this year. Steve Elliott, CEO at BW: Workplace Experts, said: “2025 was our 25th year in business and our strongest financial performance to date, a reflection of the incredible pace of growth over the past decade, where we have gone from a £60 million turnover business to £326.7 million, making BW the UK’s number two fit out contractor by brand. “We have strong ambitions for the next phase of growth and clear plans to deliver them. With turnover on target for £375 million in 2026 and £500 million by 2030, we remain focused on delivering exceptional, defect-free workplace fit out and design and build solutions across our core markets, offering our unique personable, and innovative approach to deliver high specification workplaces that people enjoy going to work at.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Consent enables both office and educational /conference use on the two lower floors widening the building’s appeal Addington, the property investor and asset manager, and its US joint venture partner Strategic Value Partners LLC and its affiliates (“SVP”), have successfully obtained a multi-use planning consent from the City of London Corporation. The consent grants dual use under Class E and F1 for 29,000 sq. ft. of space across the two lower levels of Senator, their 150,802 sq. ft. Grade A office building at 85 Queen Victoria Street, Such consents are unusual to obtain in the City. This consent allows the levels to be utilized for either traditional offices or for conference and educational purposes. They also benefit from a new dedicated entrance and reception in a self-contained space. Major Refurbishment Commences This planning milestone triggers Addington’s major 69,000 sq. ft. refurbishment program at Senator covering the Atrium, Levels 0, 1, and 2. Addington has awarded the building contract to specialists OD Interiors Ltd to deliver an enhanced workspace focused on sustainability, well-being, and premium amenities. The comprehensive works include a reconfigured and refurbished main reception; a refurbishment of the seventh-level communal roof terrace; the creation of a new private amenity courtyard garden for the occupier of level 0 and new end of trip facilities in the building – with new changing rooms and parking for 190 bikes. The building will also benefit from two new dedicated x13 people lifts within the central atrium accessed by the new self-contained second entrance and five new lifts in the existing core The on-floor office specification features exposed services ceilings on levels 2, 1 & 0 with new central plant and on-floor M&E, and newly refurbished WCs throughout. Prime City Location Senator was acquired by the joint venture last year and consists of 150,802 sq. ft. Grade A office and ancillary accommodation arranged over the atrium level, ground and seven upper levels in the building. While the lower levels undergo transformation, levels 3 to 6 remain let to wealth manager Quilter, which leases 84,000 sq.ft. of space, as well as a private terrace of 1,615 sq. ft. on the seventh floor. The building occupies a prominent island site with a 50-metre frontage onto Queen Victoria Street. It is located within a five-minute walk of four key transport nodes: Mansion House, Cannon Street, Bank, and Blackfriars. David Dalrymple, Principal at Addington, said: “We acquired Senator with the belief that with refurbishment we would create an outstanding opportunity for flexible, high-value space, and we are delighted the City of London Corporation shares our vision. We can now offer 69,000 sq. ft of exceptional workspace in a landmark City location, or the rare opportunity for multi-use space with a dedicated own branded entrance for those seeking 29,000 sq. ft. of self-contained space. We believe this flexibility will be a major draw for both educational operators and traditional office tenants.” Letting agents for the scheme are Allsop and Knight Frank. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals