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London’s most outstanding workplaces have been named, with British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards going to seven office buildings across the city.
Held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 29 April, the BCO’s annual London Awards Lunch recognised projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector.
The seven winners of this year’s competition highlight the diversity of offices across the capital, ranging from a “neighbourhood” able to accommodate 10,000 workers to a Grade II listed building sensitively repurposed as a showcase for modern engineering. Whether featuring a vertical farm or an auditorium with the “wow factor”, all the winners are united in their intelligent consideration of user experience, community value and environmental impact.
The BCO Regional Award winners for London are:
- 1 EdCity Walk (Corporate Workplace)
- 40 Leadenhall (Commercial Workplace)
- Capital Group HQ (Fit Out of Workplace)
- The Living Lab (Projects up to 2,500m2)
- Norton Folgate (Refurbished/Recycled)
- 11 Belgrave (ESG)
- GSK Project Emerald (Innovation)
1 EdCity Walk
Praising the winner of the Best Corporate Workplace award, the judges said 1Ed City Walk was an incredibly challenging scheme for a not-for-profit organisation to deliver. The project was led by a passionate client team from children’s educational charity Ark who surrounded themselves with a wider team that was equally as enthusiastic and aligned to their ambitions. The result is a building perfectly designed for end-users’ requirements, providing office, auditorium and education spaces. With strong amenity provision, the ground floor has a café open to local residents, while staff also benefit from a stunning rooftop terrace. It has delivered a beautiful new home for Ark that sets up the charity for future success. The judges said the scale of the social offer of this scheme is unrivalled, and its community and civil impact make it a deserving winner.
Photo courtesy of Savills
40 Leadenhall
Taking the Best Commercial Workplace award, 40 Leadenhall is more than an office building – it’s a neighbourhood that will accommodate up to 10,000 people. With a strong focus on well-being and the tenant experience, the building responds positively to the surrounding context, while making a confident statement on the City of London skyline. The design is timeless and elegant, including historical assets which have been sympathetically restored. The scheme has redefined the amenity, social and hospitality offer within offices, including a well-stocked library, 30-seat cinema room, auditorium, extensive health and fitness facilities, restaurants and terraces. A range of floorplate sizes caters to varying tenant requirements, and strong sustainability credentials include targeting BREEAM Excellent and Nabers 5-star ratings. Overall, the scheme stood out in a highly competitive category, with the amenity provisions pushing it to the next level.
Photo courtesy of Make Architects
Capital Group HQ
Capital Group’s new European headquarters at 1 Paddington Square, winner of the Best Fit Out of a Workplace category, boasts an impressive client reception and hospitality bar that is seamlessly connected by a stunning lighting sculpture. Two feature staircases provide vertical connection through the office with a clever use of lighting that helps you effortlessly flow through the space. The office floors feel generous, with amazing access to natural daylight. The transition floor offers a variety of amenities and social areas, providing users with an assortment of spaces in which to connect and collaborate. The conference suite is beautifully appointed, showcasing some impressive artwork, and includes a box-in-box outward-facing auditorium that delivers a real “wow” moment. The open and inclusive workplace projects style and elegance, providing facilities and amenities to inspire and encourage anyone to spend more time in the office.
Photo courtesy of TP Bennett
The Living Lab
This year’s Best Project up to 2,500m2, The Living Lab is a transformative workspace that combines innovation, sustainability and functionality within a historic setting. Developed as engineering firm Hilson Moran’s new headquarters, it supports business growth while showcasing cutting-edge engineering and sustainability practices. Adapting a Grade II listed building, the team prioritised circular economy principles, resource-efficient solutions and high-performance environmental strategies. Features such as non-metallic ductwork, demand-response ventilation and modular furniture reduce embodied carbon and allow for future flexibility. Meanwhile, the open, transparent design fosters collaboration and the judges praised the integration of sustainability, wellbeing and adaptability. Hilson Moran has used the space to showcase its skills in the best way possible, making The Living Lab an exemplary next-generation office.
Photo courtesy of Hilson Moran
Norton Folgate
Norton Folgate was crowned Best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace for transforming three underused and vacant buildings on the edge of the City into a vibrant mixed-use development that showcases the meticulous restoration of historic structures dating from the late 1800s. By integrating these with thoughtfully designed new constructions, the project maintains the architectural integrity of the Elder Street Conservation Area while offering a variety of office spaces tailored to different business needs, alongside retail and leisure facilities. The all-electric retrofit project achieved high BREEAM ratings for both new and existing structures, while collaborations with local food and beverage tenants and the support of local businesses underscore the project’s dedication to social responsibility. Through its sensitive architectural approach, strong ESG commitments and enhancement of public spaces, the project fosters economic and social vitality, setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban regeneration.
Photo courtesy of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
11 Belgrave
ESG Award winner 11 Belgrave Road revitalises a dated 1950s office building, introducing elegant new façades that improve the streetscape and harmonise with the Pimlico Conservation Area. Its Nabers 5.5-star, BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum certifications make 11 Belgrave Road one of the most sustainable office buildings in the UK. The development was shaped by an exemplary engagement process with local residents and the adjacent school, ensuring alignment with community needs. A portion of the space has been allocated to local charities, while publicly accessible amenities – including flexible workspaces – further integrate the building into the social fabric of the neighbourhood. Through its bold commitment to low-carbon materials, energy efficiency and community engagement, the project not only significantly reduces embodied and operational carbon but also enhances the social fabric of Pimlico, demonstrating how commercial buildings can drive both environmental and social progress.
Photo courtesy of Eric Parry Architects
GSK Project Emerald
When GSK decided to relocate its headquarters from Brentford to central London, it set itself the challenge to “create the world’s healthiest workplace”, founded on the guiding principles of health, collaboration and sustainability. The resulting Project Emerald on New Oxford Street earned it this year’s Innovation Award. Following extensive research into the best workplace environments, GSK has provided 13 different work settings, gym and terraces, plus Europe’s largest indoor vertical farm, which supports an impressive restaurant offering for both GSK’s people and the public. The judges praised GSK’s research-based approach to the project brief and understanding of how office environments impact stress, cognitive performance and wellbeing. The team has used scientific findings to design a space that truly enhances the lives of everyone who steps inside – an approach the judges said was over and above anything they have seen applied at this stage of a project and which provides lessons for others.
Photo courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline
Angela Joseph, Development Director at Brookfield Properties and BCO London Judging Chair, said: “This year’s winners have really raised the bar in terms of putting sustainability and community at the heart of modern office design. Visiting all the finalists in this year’s awards was both exciting and inspiring as we saw how projects are prioritising well-being and occupier experience to create diverse spaces where workers want to spend time. Demand for quality workspaces continues to be a key driver for the market, and our award winners suggest a bright future for London offices.”
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said: “Once again, the BCO’s Regional Awards have shown how far offices have evolved, and are continuing to do so, to meet the needs of the next generation of occupiers. As I come to the end of my tenure as chief executive of the BCO, I feel hugely positive about the future of this vital sector and proud of the way our members are raising standards in design, sustainability and occupier experience. Well done to all the 2025 London winners and best of luck for the National Awards this October.”
The London winners will compete for the BCO National Awards on 7 October 2025.
To see the North’s Award winners click here.
Workplace management solutions provider, Matrix Booking, has published a new free guide on how to create workspaces that meet the demands of the current and future workforce.
For those businesses looking to encourage more employees into the office, or wanting to improve their experience overall, ‘How facilities and workplace managers can shape the office of the future’ provides insights and the tools you need to ensure your environment meets the changing nature of employee preferences, employer requests, and evolving styles of work.
To download the guide click here.
