CARMELITE HOUSE
Peter Everard Smith; © Fletcher Priest Architects

CARMELITE HOUSE

Fletcher Priest Architects as Architects

Fletcher Priest has revived listed 19th century Carmelite House, originally the headquarters of Lord Northcliffe’s publishing empire situated within the Conservation Area on Victoria Embankment, to transform it into the headquarters for contemporary publishing group Hachette UK.


Carmelite House had been re-worked and added to significantly since its occupation by Associated Newspapers. Our sensitive re-development of the site preserves and restores the Listed façade whilst replacing the 1990s intervention with a building which sympathetically responds to its environment whilst reusing the modern structure of the former building.


Among the factors that give additional value over standard high quality central London office space, are its riverside location and historic character. The new riverfront façade is proportioned to enhance its presence and make it legible from the South Bank, while a garden and glazed pavilion at roof level give occupants magnificent views across the river to Tate Modern and the Millennium Wheel. Throughout the building we make thematic use of the original design, recreating its decorative motifs with new materials and fabrication techniques to make the basis for contemporary features, such as 3d ceramic tiles in the washrooms, ventilation grilles and rooftop cladding.


This project extends our portfolio of high quality sustainable workplaces which draw value and character from their context and existing features. Here reusing the 1990s structure takes advantage of its large open plan floorplates and helped to keeps costs remarkably low (tendered in 2012 at £137/ sq ft) underwriting the strength of our vision for a modern workplace enriched by acknowledging its past.


Quadrant Estates’ Partner Graham Tyler commented: “We are extremely proud of the new headquarters building that Fletcher Priest Architects has created, which will soon be occupied by its new tenant, Hachette UK. Our highlights are the stunning roof terrace and the restoration of the 19th century façade at the rear of the building.”


“Carmelite House is a magnificent building in a magnificent location. We are looking forward enormously to moving in Spring next year. The building, which incorporates listed features from Lord Northcliffe’s day with the very best of modern design, will be great place to work and the roof terrace, with its 1/4 acre of garden will be a great place for our staff to relax and admire what is surely one of the best views of London.” Chris Emerson Chief Operating Officer, Hachette UK


Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert
18 Mar 2024 News
Nokha Village Community Centre by Sanjay Puri Architects is an architectural oasis in the desert

Mumbai-based Sanjay Puri Architects has completed the Nokha Village Community Centre, an architectur... More

Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
15 Mar 2024 News
Square and Tourist Office: Emerging finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers
15 Mar 2024 Specification
25 best mosaic wall tile manufacturers

Mosaic wall tiles are produced in an enormous range of colors, shapes and finishes, and from a varie... More

Introducing Partner Motion Facades
15 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Motion Facades

Motion Facades specializes in supplying advanced facade systems for luxury real estate projects. Its... More

Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel
15 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores join Archello Awards 2024 jury panel

Architects Bergendy Cooke, Grégoire Du Pasquier, Ruth Baleiko and Mathew Albores have been an... More

JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements
14 Mar 2024 News
JSWD completes new office complex in Bonn unified by triangular facade elements

International architectural firm JSWD has completed the Neuer Kanzlerplatz office complex in the cit... More

Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'
14 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Archello Awards 2024 expands with 'Firm Awards'

Today Archello introduces a new set of Firm Awards categories to widen the scope of the Archello Awa... More

Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes
13 Mar 2024 News
Studio Egret West develops plans for new Passivhaus homes

London-based multidisciplinary architecture and design practice Studio Egret West has developed plan... More