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Inside:14 Cornhill RebornThe Asset of HistoryNews Update

The development of the former Lloyds Bank headquarters

building at Bank in the City of London presented interesting

challenges. The building had been acquired by IVG Asticus Real

Estate Ltd, the original owners Lloyds TSB having been relocated

to a new building on Gresham Street. DLG Architects were

appointed with a team to develop a scheme for the sustainable

use of the building, to obtain the best possible planning consent

and to deliver a development in line with IVG Asticus’ reputation

for development of exceptional quality.

The original structure was massive, with large columns suited to

the requirements for offi ces eighty years ago. Banking operations

required cellular spaces and, although the technology existed

to create slender columns at the time, they were not needed

for this building. The requirement now however is for minimal

visible intrusion into an open plan offi ce space. A unique method

was developed with engineers Ramboll Whitby Bird to reconcile

these requirements by the “surgical” replacement of the massive

structure with slender circular solid steel columns of only 200mm

diameter to replace the 750mm square originals. This, combined

with long-span new structures over the banking hall, has created

very high quality offi ce space with large uninterrupted fl oor plates

which are always a premium requirement.

Offi ce News UpdateJune 2008 2614 Cornhill, London

Planning permission was also obtained for two new fl oors to

provide spectacular space with unrivalled views over the City.

The modern structures of these fl oors are hung from large

trusses supported on just six “mega- columns” which carry

the load down through the twelve fl oors of the building to new

foundations at third basement level, avoiding overload to the

existing building.

The 170,000 ft² building has been reborn as a lively mixed-use

development containing ground level retailing, restaurants and

top quality open plan offi ce space built round a spectacular

atrium. It maintains and celebrates the historic qualities of the

building, making it quite unique among City developments. The

offi ces have been let at a record level rent so clearly the market

shows that something special has been created.en

Matthew Borowiecki

Partnereated.

26Feature ArticleJune 2008

The Asset of History

With care and experience developments involving

existing buildings will match the performance of

newly built projects and with the application of

imagination the historic fabric can be brought into

the character of a development by design.

Character is an asset which is vital to

developments involving historic buildings, it needs

to be understood and nurtured to make the most

of it. In this issue of Perspective we illustrate a few

of our recent projects which we believe achieve

the synthesis of historic character and modern

utility, thereby creating an asset which is more

than the sum of its parts.

To discuss offi ce requirements contact:

Andrew Gardner (Leeds) 0113 3946 900

Gareth Gerner (London) 020 7426 3630

The built environment consists of so much more than just

functional buildings. At DLG we have long been aware of the

importance of the past and have had a particular interest in

managing conservation. We have undertaken many important

projects in this fi eld and have learnt through practical experience

combined with published research the improved values which can

be achieved.

Listed and historic buildings are sometimes seen as a problem

in value and investment terms, and this is understandable. The

uncertainty about the best way to put an important building

to benefi cial use in a different context to that for which it was

designed inevitably affects its value and potential for development

but, with the right approach, there is always a good solution.

Sunlight House, Manchester

The tenants of Sunlight House in Quay Street Manchester are

about to benefi t not only from a comprehensive refurbishment

of the premises but also from learning more about the history of

their building. Building owners Warner Estates are proposing to

make the story of the building more available to all who use it.

Designed by Joseph Sunlight, an idiosyncratic local architect,

it has the distinction of once being the tallest building in

Manchester and a forerunner to much of the commercial success

of the city.

Offi ce News UpdateJune 2008 26Belle Vue Mills, Skipton

Work has started on site on this major £40m mixed use

Yorkshire regeneration scheme. The Belle Vue Mills development

in Skipton will restore a number of listed historic mills and

transform the area into a prestigious new destination including

25,000 ft² of studio offi ce space, apartments, town houses,

restaurants and retail, including a major new store for Next. The

development adjacent to the Leeds - Liverpool canal is designed

to complement existing facilities in Skipton and act as a unifi ed

extension to the town centre.

The design has at its centre a spectacular atrium which replaces

the original Northlights courtyard, complete with ETFE roof,

and a dramatic glazed façade taking in views across the nearby

countryside.

As well as being an architect, Sunlight was also a very successful

businessman leaving a fortune when he died in 1974 in excess of

£7m.

For some time he based his enterprise in the building and today’s

users can take pride in occupying not only a landmark listed

building but also one which recognised commercial success as a

virtue.

General News UpdateJune 2008

Green and Pleasant

Historic locations can leave a legacy long after the original

buildings have disappeared. A project for a one off house in the

grounds of Chertsey Abbey is a case in point. The Abbey was one

of the largest in the region but was destroyed in the reformation,

the immediate area however retains the quality of tranquillity and

is an oasis of calm right in the town centre.

The new courtyard house is designed to replace some existing

outbuildings and has had to take account of its Scheduled

Ancient Monument location. Exploratory archaeological digs were

undertaken as part of the overall strategy which was agreed with

English Heritage. The raft foundations are designed to eliminate

disturbance to preserved material below ground in accordance

with conservation principles. The house is designed with a

sedum roof on the “fi fth elevation” as it is visible from adjoining

properties.

The Atrium, Camberley

Progress continues at a pace on the 750,000 ft² Atrium

development with completion on target for November 2008.

The development is divided into multiple sectional completions

with the fi rst residential phase handed over last November. Most

recently, the early release of units has enabled Next, Sports

world and Zavvi to open ahead of the scheduled handover of the

140,000 ft² retail section.

The main focus of attention at the moment is the leisure block

where the wavy cinema and Atrium roof steelwork is nearly

complete with the ETFE ‘eden project’ membrane pillow roof

manufactured and about to be installed

Letting of the leisure units has been strong with all of the

restaurant units secured along with the cinema and bowling

anchor tenants who are programmed to commence fi tting out

later in the summer.

Westlands Industrial, Heathrow

Lettings are looking positive for these speculative industrial units

near Heathrow which were fi nished in February for British Steel

Pension Fund Trustee Ltd. Clear internal space, generous eaves

heights and fl exibility to subdivide the 40,000 ft² space and

associated offi ces are the selling points. The fi rst phase of work

at the site was completed last year when tenants moved into the

adjoining, new 150,000 ft² pre-let unit. Westlands, Nippon External

Chertsey Abbey

The Atrium, Camberley

General News UpdateJune 2008

London Offi ce 11-29 Fashion StreetLondon E1 6PZ

t +44 (0)20 7426 3630f +44 (0)20 7426 3631london@dlgarchitects.com

dlgarchitects.com

Leeds Offi ce Marshall Mill, Marshall StreetLeeds LS11 9YJ

t +44 (0)113 394 6900f +44 (0)113 394 6901leeds@dlgarchitects.com

More in Windsor

Having already transformed the town’s retail offer with the

development of the historic Royal Station, DLG has successfully

commenced site works on the transformation of the famous

Caleys department store in Windsor, to provide renewed space

for retail and a 100 bed hotel.

Located in the heart of Windsor’s conservation area, to the South

West of Windsor Castle, the building enjoys a prime position on

the main High Street alongside other Grade II Listed buildings of

Georgian proportion.

The Waterfront Quarter, Huddersfi eld

DLG have submitted ambitious new plans for the development

of Huddersfi eld’s £200m Waterfront Quarter, one of the largest

urban renewal projects in the country.

The proposal will transform the 12 acre site into over 800,000 ft²

of mixed use space, including 200,000 ft² of BREEAM excellent

rated offi ces, Huddersfi eld Technical College, Hotel, Restaurants

& Apartments. The project, which is forecast to generate up to

2000 jobs, will carefully introduce contemporary architecture

whilst also developing the public realm around the canal and River

Colne to create a vital sense of place.

Sheffi eld Parkway Competition

DLG’s Nicolas Ascione & Andrew Crombie were commended for

the ‘very beautiful and striking form’ of this RIBA International

competition entry for a landmark pedestrian bridge situated

between the M1 & Sheffi eld City Centre.

The fl uid design concept formed from a CORTEN structure

was eventually one of the fi nal 5 shortlisted from over 109

international entries.