Whittington House Bloomsbury workspace, London

Whittington House Bloomsbury workspace building, London Grade A office design architect, English property images

15 November 2025

Barr Gazetas gets green light to refurbish Seifert building

Design: Barr Gazetas

Location: Bloomsbury, London, England, UK.

Images © Barr Gazetas

Whittington House Bloomsbury Workspace Design

Subject to a legal agreement, Camden Council gives go ahead to Barr Gazetas’ restoration of 70s architectural landmark Whittington House, WC1E on behalf of leading developer Great Portland Estates plc (GPE). Comprising over 100,000 sq ft of Grade A workspace, the sensitive restoration breathes new life into Richard Seifert’s original design.

Whittington House, WC1E places key focuses on conservation, user experience and sustainability. Located in Bloomsbury, London, and just a short walk from Goodge Street station, Whittington House will positively contribute to the Bloomsbury Conservation Area.

The refurbishment sees the creation of a new rooftop pavilion and terrace, inspired by the unique geometry of the existing building. The floor area will increase by over 1,000 sq ft and provide new terraces, plus improved amenities throughout the building including a reimagined ground floor entrance and end-of-trip facilities.

Reception:

Whittington House currently stands with a bold, geometric presence in central London, with a highly reflective façade incorporating both glass and black stone. The approved plans retain the existing façade and approximately 99% of the structure, substantially reducing the project’s embodied carbon while also maintaining the building’s historic presence and character.

With sustainability at its core, Barr Gazetas’ plans also propose a variety of amendments to improve the energy performance of the building, including glazing with a low g-value to reduce overheating in summer, incorporating biophilia throughout the office and introducing materials with low Volatile Organic Compound content to support air quality. Plans also include innovative reuse of materials, including reclaimed steelwork.

Bikes:

As well as providing a light-filled, multi-purpose space, the new rooftop pavilion will include a flexible indoor-outdoor terrace with panoramic views, as well as 26 species of planting and retractable shading for use in all seasons.

Barr Gazetas’ proposals enhance accessibility and inclusivity, with step-free access and carefully considered signage that uses colour and materials to provide a variety of spaces. Meanwhile, the basement will be upgraded to include end-of-trip facilities such as bike storage, showers, changing rooms and wellness spaces.

At ground level, the entrance has been reconfigured to provide a generous and welcoming arrival experience, replacing the existing reception with an open plan waiting area. The redesign improves connectivity to Alfred Place Gardens, the adjacent park that serves as a popular outdoor social hub.

The Whittington House restoration will significantly enhance the user experience, delivering a contemporary and appealing workspace that meets the demands of modern working life.

Barr Gazetas Associate, Magnus Wills, said: “This project is about giving a remarkable building a new lease of life without compromising its identity. Whittington House is an iconic part of Bloomsbury and we’ve worked hard to ensure every proposed intervention is respectful, sustainable, and future facing.”

Showers:

Barr Gazetas

Architecture and interior design practice Barr Gazetas was established in 1993 and today works on award winning projects across the UK. It is a certified B-Corporation known for its progressive approach to design and placemaking, and its sensitive refurbishment of existing and historic buildings. Barr Gazetas puts people, sustainability, wellness, and the future, at the centre of every project.

Recent work includes the heritage-led refurbishment, Grainhouse, unifying five historic buildings in Covent Garden which has been awarded BCO Corporate Workplace Award; Fivefields, an impact-driven workspace for charities and social value organisations designed with neurodiversity as a key focus; Holbein Gardens, a redevelopment and extension of a 1980s building located off Sloane Square, which will achieve Net Zero operational carbon by 2030.

Whittington House Bloomsbury Office Property – Building Information

Consultants:

PM: Cogent
QS: T&T Alinea
Planning Consultant: Newmark
MEP: Sweco
Structural Eng: HTS
Façade Eng: EOC
Horticulture: McGregor Smith
Contractor: Faithdean
BR PD: Barr Gazetas
Fire Engineer: Marshall Fire
CDM Advisor: Sweco

Richard Seifert

Whittington House Bloomsbury workspace London images / information received 151125

Location: Gordon St, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK

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