Sustainability to the fore as planners approve Bloomsbury Street refurb

Capital 38 and development partner Morgan Capital’s 86,000 sq ft office refurbishment at 21 Bloomsbury Street, WC1, has been granted planning permission. Plans for the existing eight-storey office block include an extension comprising a sixth-floor office and seventh floor amenity pavilion with large communal roof terrace. Currently the site offers either terrace or courtyard space on six of the eight floors. Once complete the sustainability-focused site will offer an atrium café, rooftop café and event space, wellness studio and 174 cycle spaces. The total cost of works is up to £100m, according to planning applications submitted to the London Borough of Camden. The building is targeting top sustainability credentials including BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS 5*, WELL Platinum, and net zero in operation. Work on the refurbishment will begin in autumn 2023, with the site ready for occupiers in 2024. Simon Morgan, of Morgan Capital, said: “Twenty-One will set a new benchmark for how existing buildings can be sustainably reimagined to provide the exemplar buildings of tomorrow, providing the performance and amenity to compete with the very best new builds, whilst achieving aspirational levels of low embodied carbon through 95% retention of the existing structure.” Freddie Corlett, director in the central London office leasing team at Savills, added: “Despite clear evidence that London occupiers want the very best office buildings in terms of both design and sustainability credentials, there remains a shortage of supply as rising costs limit new development. As such its excellent news to secure planning for a comprehensive refurbishment at 21 Bloomsbury Street which will deliver the quality of building needed most in the market.” Savills and RX London are joint leasing agents on the scheme. To send feedback, e-mail chante.bohitige@eg.co.uk or tweet @bohitige Image © Stiff & Trevillion