Imagine transforming a dated office building into a high-quality central London headquarters. That’s precisely what happened at Building 23 on King Street. Standard Life Investments chose Trehearne Architects for this ambitious project. The goal was to create a modern space that would stand proudly alongside neighbors like BP and HSBC Private Bank.
Building 23 is located in St James’s. It now offers over 45000 square feet of premium Grade A office space. This spans the ground floor and six upper floors.
Trehearne Architects aimed to deliver a new building. They reconfigured the internal layout to maximize leasable space. An additional floor was cleverly added within the former plant room area on the roof. This expanded the building to seven stories. It also increased the lettable accommodation by 34 percent.
Before the project was even complete, Temasek, the Singaporean Sovereign Wealth Fund, had partially pre-let the building.
But there is also another Building 23. This office space is located at 23 Austin Friars. It’s housed in an impressive building with a history dating back to 1888. Sir Aston Webb designed it. He also designed the facade of Buckingham Palace.
This Building 23 boasts a high-quality office space with an atrium-style reception. There are furnished offices and five meeting rooms. These rooms vary in size and can accommodate six to 50 people. It’s conveniently located between the Bank of England and Liverpool Street station.
Both locations of Building 23 offer 24/7 access and security. You can find air-conditioning, bike storage and breakout spaces. There is also a cafe, restaurant, car parking and catering. The buildings offer disabled facilities, phone lines and event spaces. Fresh fruit, furnished offices and a gym are also available. Meeting rooms, reception desks, showers and tea and coffee are provided too.
Another Building 23 is listed on the National Heritage List for England. This Building 23 is located at London End.
So, whether it’s the modern offices on King Street, the historic building on Austin Friars, or the listed building on London End, Building 23 represents different facets of London’s architectural landscape. Each location has its unique story and purpose. They contribute to the city’s vibrant commercial and historical tapestry.