Introduction
Over the past 30 years, Beijing Capital Development (BCDC) has established itself as an industry leader. As one of the earliest real estate developers in China, BCDC is recognised as one of the best performing private investment companies in the world. Based in Beijing, BCDC has consistently expanded its business by investing in overseas companies within the United States, the United Kingdom, Holland, Australia, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Black Elephant managed and coordinated each stage of the design process, and integrated best practice sustainability measures throughout the inception, design, and construction phases.
The Brief
Situated mid-town in the heart of Central London, Fleet Place, which was built in 2000, is a high quality, landmark commercial office development, located on the south side of Holborn Viaduct.
The client’s brief was to strip out the existing outdated and dysfunctional third floor to shell and core, and through a considered CAT A refurbishment, create a light-filled space that would appeal to a diverse group of prospective tenants. In line with the clients’ green credentials we elected to preserve some of the original features by upcycling wherever possible. This ‘value engineering’ enabled the generation of sustainable alternatives and a reduction in project costs by reusing materials such as the raised metal floor which was subsequently renovated and polished in readiness for the client’s new tenants.
The Vision
The refurbishment of Fleet Place was to provide an adaptable ‘ready to move in’ office space. The design was to retain a typical front of house reception area, with the back of house providing a flexible open plan layout that would appeal to both the traditional legal and insurance industries, as well as the media and graphic sectors.
The Design
Beijing Capital Development Holding (BCDH) as part of the Shokai Group, appointed Black Elephant to fitout the 3rd floor 12,000 sq. ft. space and to take on the roles of client’s representative, interior designer, and design manager. An in-depth analysis of corporate businesses in the area was undertaken to determine what new trends were influencing clients of the corporate, retail and serviced office sectors, as the final design needed to be an attractive rental proposition for a range of prospective tenants.
The project involved stripping out and replacing the existing mechanical, electrical, fire prevention and detection. The newly installed certified services in the large open plan area were left exposed to enhance the ceiling height and bounce light from the full height perimeter windows.
Alighting from the internal lifts, the new front of house reception area provides a sense of arrival that is open, bright, and welcoming. The white plasterboard ceiling conceals the integrated mechanical, electrical and heating systems, and inset LED lights illuminate the stunning views of the London skyline.
This refurbishment presents an outstanding opportunity for tenants to move in and make the space their own by adding cellular offices, meeting rooms, and breakout areas that will inspire and motivate business teams and ways of working.
