Work to start on Farringdon office scheme

International workspace provider HB Reavis has reaffirmed its commitment to London with the acquisition of the 12,800m² Crossrail Over-Site Development (OSD) at Farringdon West, located in the heart of Clerkenwell in Central London.

Designed by award-winning British architecture practice John Robertson Architects, the project comprises office, retail and amenity space.

The development has been designed to focus on delivering the highest quality of office accommodation. Wellbeing has been introduced as a main theme running through the entire development to ensure a creative, content and motivated community of users in the building.

The scheme’s office floors have been reconfigured to provide a single core, creating open, flexible floorplates of up to 2,700m². Designed by StudioShaw, the ground floor intends to be enjoyed by both the public and occupiers: offering a lively mix of food and beverage options, as well as a garden area positioned both within and outside the building.

A further distinctive feature will be the approximately 170-person auditorium expected to offer event space for occupiers.

The development is immediately adjacent to the newly built Farringdon station, which is uniquely positioned as the only station where Crossrail (which will operate as the Elizabeth line), London Underground and Thameslink meet. When the Elizabeth line opens in December 2018, it will be one of the busiest stations in the UK.

The development will be at the very centre of the capital’s world-renowned design community and benefit from its proximity to cultural institutions such as the nearby Barbican Centre, Exmouth and Leather Lane markets and Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

Construction of the seven-storey commercial scheme is expected to commence this year and complete in 2020.