COMMENT The environmental benefits of retrofitting the UK’s building stock are well rehearsed. But it’s not only environmental sustainability that makes existing buildings ripe for redevelopment and revitalisation. In today’s world of hybrid work, repurposing historic buildings is one way to draw people back to the office. With the right approach and attention to detail, historic buildings make for more meaningful places of work.
Admittedly, historic quirks are not often top of the list of commercial occupier demands. But the days of offices as space-efficient work floors are gone. For people to leave the comfort of their homes, businesses are increasingly recognising that the office needs to offer something different to generic workspace.
On a similar note, The Times recently revealed how a growing number of Gen Z employees are turning their backs on traditional careers for jobs in the heritage sector. Behind their decision is a desire to work in jobs that provide cultural connection and meaning. The same can be said for what historic buildings bring to the world of commercial real estate – an antidote to soulless cookie-cutter offices.
The existing fabric of our cities presents an opportunity to create work environments to which people feel a sense of pride and connection.
Creating beautiful space
This potential is what stood out to us when we first laid eyes on Clapham Junction’s former department store, Arding & Hobbs. A hive of social and commercial activity for more than 150 years, the Grade II listed building fell into disrepair following Debenhams’ collapse in 2020. We were determined to bring the local landmark back to life through a restoration of its Edwardian Baroque features, and by introducing 100,000 sq ft of new retail, leisure and office space.
Now complete, Arding & Hobbs delivers character in spades. To give one example, after peeling away layers of material, the building’s flex office space receives natural light through an original stained-glass dome and barrel roof. The glass took three weeks for conservationists to restore by hand using toothbrushes and vinegar.
Similarly, at 75 Grosvenor Street, W1, we’ve stitched together three Georgian townhouses to create a state-of-the-art office space. In addition to restoring original brickwork, beams and fireplaces, we uncovered 18th century portraits during works. These paintings now sit centre stage in the building’s main space, creating an office that might be mistaken for a Georgian living room. Silk-interlayered glass panelling and a bespoke motif, inspired by the crests of 18th century livery companies, run through the building as a nod to the generations of silk weavers who once inhabited the houses.
It’s these features, and the often-remarkable stories behind them, that make historic buildings so exciting for developers to work with and for tenants to work in. Ultimately, however, offices need to be functional as well as memorable. When working with historic buildings, this is not without its challenges.
At Arding & Hobbs, making the transition from dilapidated department store to grade-A office space required complex intervention work. Opening up the department store’s constricted upper floors allowed for multiple configurations of the floorplates and for additional uses to be introduced in the future. To improve daylight penetration, we created windows on the building’s internal walls, which are served by a dramatic central lightwell. Most importantly, the addition of two new floors and a CLT rooftop extension provides extra floor space that underpins the project’s commercial viability.
Alongside structural changes, we earmarked 30% of total floorspace for retail and leisure purposes. The goal was both to revitalise the surrounding area and to ensure the building’s commercial tenants have access to cafés and restaurants on their doorstep.
Building quality
Of course, it doesn’t take a historic building to deliver exceptional quality workspace surrounded by a strong mix of uses. In fact, it’s often simpler to make a building compliant with today’s energy standards and digital connectivity demands when starting from scratch, and without having to navigate the heritage and insurance regulations that come with existing stock.
But it’s a combination of convenience and character that persuades people to ditch their homes for more inspirational office space. Where the option to reinvent historic buildings exists, doing so can offer more sustainable and meaningful office space, two factors that are increasingly important for occupiers and their employees. For businesses wanting to boost a return to the office, the future of work lies in buildings from the past.
Sascha Lewin is chief executive st W.RE
