Perhaps you’ve heard mixed opinions about The Relay Building. Some call it a “blade of light” while others deem it an “incoherent hulk.” Regardless, let’s delve into its story.
The Relay Building, originally named One Commercial Street, is a prominent residential tower here in Whitechapel. Officially, its address is 114 Whitechapel High Street. This 21-story building stands at the junction of Whitechapel High Street and Commercial Street.
Opening its doors in 2014, The Relay Building was developed by Redrow. Sigma Seifert served as the architects. John Sisk & Son, part of the Sisk Group, were the contractors. Construction faced a halt in 2008. However, the recovery of London’s housing market allowed Redrow to purchase and complete the development.
Inside, The Relay Building houses 207 apartments. It also features 110,000 square feet of office space spread over six floors. Retail spaces occupy the ground floor. Car parking is available in the basement. Notably, one of the entrances to Aldgate East tube station is integrated into the building’s ground floor.
Redrow described The Relay Building as a sculptural addition. They likened its glass fin to a blade of light. Building Design offered a less flattering critique. They questioned Redrow’s description. They suggested that the building’s design was incoherent.
Despite the differing opinions, The International Property Awards recognized The Relay Building. It was awarded “Best Residential High-Rise Development UK, 2013–14.”
The entrance lobby incorporates a unique feature. A section of a London Underground C Stock train serves as a seating area. It displays “Aldgate East” as its destination. The unit bears the number 5721. Although not the original, the genuine 5721 is preserved at the London Transport Museum’s Acton depot.
Interestingly, The Relay Building includes “affordable housing.” This section is named “Houblon Apartments”. It has a separate entrance on Tyne Street. This led to discussions about segregated entrances, often called “poor doors”.
In 2014, the anarchist group Class War protested outside The Relay Building. They voiced their opposition to the perceived wealth disparity. After some time, the new owners of the building agreed to meet with Class War. A temporary truce was declared.
In March 2022, a fire broke out on the 17th floor of The Relay Building. Glass panels fell onto the streets below. The London Fire Brigade responded with fifteen fire engines and over 125 firefighters. They utilized Europe’s tallest ladder to extinguish the blaze.
Today, The Relay Building stands as a mixed-use tower. It reflects the ongoing development and diverse opinions in London’s architectural landscape. Major tenants include Blockchain, MindSpace and Pret a Manger. Its location in Aldgate places it within London’s tech belt. It is a vibrant and ever-changing part of the city.