Scheme completed by Laing in 1997 and considered a post-modern classic set for major makeover
Proposals by John Robertson Architects to revamp James Stirling’s City landmark No 1 Poultry have gone in for planning.
The building, which was completed in 1997 by John Laing, has been empty since October when serviced office provider We Work moved out.
Since then, London demolition contractor Salter has been carrying out soft strip work at the site with this expected to wrap up by next spring ahead of main construction work beginning with a finish earmarked for autumn 2027.
The building has seven floors and the reworked interiors will be able to accommodate around 1,000 people across 152,000sq ft with developer Fore Partnership marketing the scheme as a headquarters building. Cushman & Wakefield is leasing agent.
The job is being funded by South Korean investor IGIS Asset Management with the value of the retrofit thought to be in the region of £60m.
Fore is speaking to several contractors about the work with a winner expected by next spring.
Others working on the scheme include project manager Storey, cost consultant Quantem and heritage consultant Alan Baxter. Structural engineer is Civic, while Hilson Moran is on M&E and sustainability. Planning consultant is The Planning Lab while Studio GB is landscape architect.
The proposals include reinstating public access to the Apex Garden roof terrace, while the Prow entrance at Bank junction will be reopened for the first time since 2000 after being shut because it was inefficient to use it as the main entrance.
Basil Demeroutis, who is co-leading the development for Fore, along with former Morris & Co architect Ben Cross, said: “No 1 Poultry is an extraordinary building, rich in character but under-occupied and under-performing. Our ambition is to make it a frontrunner in one of the world’s most competitive office markets, securing long-term occupation while reinvesting in its public and carbon future.”
The plans are also being backed by government heritage adviser Historic England whose regional director Tom Foxall said: “No 1 Poultry is one of the most celebrated examples of Postmodern architecture in the country. We support these proposals to reinvigorate and retrofit this landmark building so that it can continue to contribute positively to the local area and economy.”
No 1 Poultry was years in the making with an earlier, late 1960s plan by Mies Van der Rohe abandoned before Stirling was brought on board with James Stirling Michael Wilford and Associates’ design initially being submitted for planning in 1984.
But the job took nine years to clear planning hurdles, largely because of proposals to knock down the listed building occupied by luxury retailer Mappin & Webb.
It was finally given planning in 1993 with Laing beginning work the following year, although the scheme was one of several loss-making jobs the firm was carrying which eventually forced it to pull out of contracting.
No 1 Poultry is believed to have cost Laing at least £10m before it sold the business to O’Rourke for £1 in 2001.
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