Originally built in the 80’s, One Portsoken Street is 233,000 sq ft of premium office space for a range of tenants; located on the edge of the City of London, the iconic brutalist building is connected to both London’s financial sector and creative industries. The UK’s largest design and build project is recently completed and now ready for occupation.
Leading office design and build company, Oktra, have delivered the record-breaking project, redefining the boundaries of design and build by gutting the nine-storey building and filling what was once one of the largest atriums in Europe. The interior optimisation has led to a 20% increase in lettable space.
“We’ve fused the defining characteristics of design and build with comparatively traditional delivery and management processes in order to deliver the largest project in UK design and build history,” explains Craig Smith, Oktra’s Chief Development Officer. “The result is a redefinition of what’s possible in design and build: One Portsoken is a ground-breaking project for Oktra and for the London design and build market. It’s a great thing to be involved in.”
The refurbishment includes restoration of One Portsoken’s original design elements in order to preserve the building’s history, with all modern finishes kept neutral in order to compliment the design. Standout elements include circular turrets, exposed concrete, terracotta floor tiles, exposed steel beams and sweeping London views from the top floor featuring the original atrium’s glass ceiling.
One Portsoken Street is in the process of achieving a ‘Very Good’ rating from BREEAM, the world’s leading sustainability assessment method. 100% of site waste was diverted from landfill; 99.35% of waste was recycled, while the other 0.65% was incinerated to produce energy. These recycling efforts reduced the project’s carbon emissions by 73%.
Conveniently surrounded by Tower Hill, Tower Gateway, Aldgate and Aldgate East underground stations, the new One Portsoken features a lively public ground floor and landscaped open space. Floorplate sizes range from 10,000 to 30,000 sq ft and are designed to accommodate up to three separate tenants. The building features impressive ceiling heights ranging from 4-10 metres and improved destination control with nine new lifts and a striking lobby space with a two-and-a-half-storey atrium.
Oktra is proud to have been selected by Alfred Equities, a forward-thinking developer with the foresight to recognize the incredible potential of One Portsoken Street and the vision to utilise a construction method that reduced the developer’s risk while achieving practical completion in record time.
“For Oktra to efficiently deliver such a comprehensive refurbishment project in the midst of a pandemic is truly a remarkable feat,” says Alfred Equities Development Coordinator Chad Frey. “Working with a nimble and forward-thinking contractor allowed us to adapt our scheme to current occupier demands and deliver a top-tier office product with superior amenities and an enhanced focus on technology, wellbeing and sustainability. Oktra’s ability to merge creative design solutions with technical expertise and an exceptional level of client service makes them a very unique D&B contractor and a tremendous value to our platform.”
Oktra are working with experienced agents to let the space, and are looking forward to working with Alfred Equities and the occupiers on interior fit out projects.
