Located in the heart of London, Bloomberg’s new European headquarters is designed to complement the surrounding buildings and create a natural extension of the city. At ten stories high, the new HQ building protects views of nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral and is in harmony with the heights of the neighboring structures.
The design, created by Foster + Partners, comprises two buildings. Glazed bridges connect the separate buildings across a retail arcade that bisects the site. This reinstates a historic route that once connected Cannon Street with Watling Street.
The headquarters’ ten stories are divided into a two-story colonnaded base, six office floors, and two top levels set back above the cornice line. The façade combines sandstone with deep bronze blades to create an understated look to blend in with the materials used in surrounding buildings. The interior of the new HQ creates a flexible, amenity-laden space for staff.
Rendering courtesy Foster + Partners.
Three new public spaces will be created as part of the project. Additionally, the archaeological remains of the Roman Temple of Mithras will be restored to their original location on the site.
The headquarters is targeting BREEAM Excellent and LEED Platinum ratings through its use of natural ventilation, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, and a combined cooling heat and power system. The headquarters is expected to be completed later this year.
Rendering courtesy Foster + Partners.
Related Stories
| Jan 15, 2012
Smith Consulting Architects designs Flower Hill Promenade expansion in Del Mar, Calif.
The $22 million expansion includes a 75,000-square-foot, two-story retail/office building and a 397-car parking structure, along with parking and circulation improvements and new landscaping throughout.
| Jan 12, 2012
CSHQA receives AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Merit Award for Idaho State Capitol restoration
After a century of service, use, and countless modifications which eroded the historical character of the building and grounds, the restoration brought the 200,000-sf building back to its former grandeur by restoring historical elements, preserving existing materials, and rehabilitating spaces for contemporary uses.
| Jan 4, 2012
New LEED Silver complex provides space for education and research
The academic-style facility supports education/training and research functions, and contains classrooms, auditoriums, laboratories, administrative offices and library facilities, as well as spaces for operating highly sophisticated training equipment.
| Jan 3, 2012
VDK Architects merges with Harley Ellis Devereaux
Harley Ellis Devereaux will relocate the employees in its current Berkeley, Calif., office to the new Oakland office location effective January 3, 2012.
| Jan 3, 2012
Rental Renaissance, The Rebirth of the Apartment Market
Across much of the U.S., apartment rents are rising, vacancy rates are falling. In just about every major urban area, new multifamily rental projects and major renovations are coming online. It may be too soon to pronounce the rental market fully recovered, but the trend is promising.
| Dec 29, 2011
Seismic safety in question at thousands of California public schools
California regulators responsible for enforcing earthquake safety laws have failed to certify more than 16,000 construction projects in California public schools, increasing the risk that some projects may be unsafe, according to a state audit report.
| Dec 21, 2011
BBI key to Philly high-rise renovation
The 200,000 sf building was recently outfitted with a new HVAC system and a state-of-the-art window retrofitting system.
| Dec 20, 2011
Research identifies most expensive U.S. commercial real estate markets
New York City, Washington, D.C. and San Mateo, Calif., rank highest in rents.
| Dec 20, 2011
Aragon Construction leading build-out of foursquare office
The modern, minimalist build-out will have elements of the foursquare “badges” in different aspects of the space, using glass, steel, and vibrantly painted gypsum board.
| Dec 19, 2011
Chicago’s Aqua Tower wins international design award
Aqua was named both regional and international winner of the International Property Award as Best Residential High-Rise Development.