BIG’s proposed redevelopment of 120 Fleet Street given green light by the City of London

International practice, BIG’s proposal for 120 Fleet Street in London includes renovation of Grade II-listed Daily Express Building and redevelopment of adjacent River Court. The new 21-floor high-rise will offer 50,550 sqm office space and 1,700 sqm of retail space.

Paying homage to the Art Deco-inspired Daily Express Building, which is currently closed to public, the new scheme wraps around the singular form of the Express Building. The key design is the creation of publicly accessible open arcade which will physically separate the Daily Express Building from the new development.

David Hutton, director at CO—RE explains, “After spending years behind closed curtains, we are excited to be able to return the Daily Express Building to its former glory and open up its stunning art deco foyer to the general public. The Daily Express Building will be a truly public space through a number of potential cultural opportunities and its new roof garden will provide breathtaking views of St Paul’s, St Bride's and beyond.”

This will seemingly open the street level retail, activating the Fleet Street, and provide passersby the opportunity to admire the art deco foyer of the historical building. The scheme also includes a new pocket park at the rooftop of the Daily Express Building, open to public, where people will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the City of London.

 

“Our design for 120 Fleet Street is informed by optimism and confidence in the future of the City of London as a world-class centre of commerce and culture. It represents the fusion of culture, amenity, sustainability; and workplace that responds to its setting in the city and its setting in the 21st century, with equal measure,” said Andy Young, technical director at BIG.

 

The new tower, featuring terrace garden starting at level six, aims to improve the well-being of those working inside the offices.  The development will create 3000 sqm of planted external terraces towards the south facing side.

While commanding the view of St Paul’s Cathedral and St Bride’s Church, the design also ensures plenty of daylight and natural ventilation for the office, providing opportunity for tenants to access outdoors. Encouraging active travel, the new development will provide storage facility for 1000 bicycles and concierge service on ground floor for easy access.

“Fleet Street is renowned as the former home of London’s newspaper industry and this development takes care to rejuvenate the old Daily Express Building to the next chapter of its rich history. Importantly, it will also allow for a new, high-quality office to be constructed in this key strategic part of the City,” said Alastair Moss, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee.

The 120 Fleet Street development combines sustainability, active travel and health and wellbeing into its architecture while paying homage to its heritage.

 

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ABOUT THE DAILY EXPRESS BUILDING

The Daily Express Building was built in 1932 as the headquarters of the Daily Express. The iconic Art Deco building on Fleet Street is one of London’s first glass curtain-wall constructions.

In 1972, the building was granted Grade II* listed status due to its outstanding design and historic association with the newspaper industry. The first Daily paper was published on Fleet Street in 1702.

 

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ABOUT CO—RE

CO—RE are central London development experts who form world-class teams to deliver world-class buildings.

CO—RE works with property investors to make the most of their existing assets and discover new opportunities. We bring unparalleled experience and vision to the process, maximising the development opportunity at every stage for every client.

Over the past 20 years, CO—RE has advised on over 12.5 million sq ft with an investment value of over £10bn. Recent projects include 20 Ropemaker Place, One Fen Court, LSQ London and Bureau at 90 Fetter Lane.

 

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ABOUT BJARKE INGLES GROUP

BIG is a Copenhagen, New York, London and Barcelona based group of architects, designers, urbanists, landscape professionals, interior and product designers, researchers and inventors. BIG is currently involved in a large number of projects throughout Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. BIG’s architecture emerges out of a careful analysis of how contemporary life constantly evolves and changes. Not least due to the influence from multicultural exchange, global economical flows and communication technologies that all together require new ways of architectural and urban organization.