We recently submitted our planning application for 68-71 Newman Street.

We recently submitted our planning application for 68-71 Newman Street.

We recently submitted our planning application for 68-71 Newman Street.

We recently submitted our planning application for 68-71 Newman Street.

FORGE
2nd Floor, 63 Poland Street, 

Soho, London W1F 7NY

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  1. Overview
  2. Responsibility & Statistics
  3. Learnings
  4. Additional

FORGE South East

Overview
  • Client
    Swiss Life
  • Size
    75,662 sq ft
  • Role
    Development Manager
  • Project Status
    Completed
  • BREEAM
    Excellent
  • EPC
    B
  • Wiredscore
    Platinum
This repositioning project transformed a tired 1980s office building into a workplace for the future. V7 sourced the opportunity, underwrote the project, secured planning, and managed the refurbishment through to lease up on behalf of Swiss Life.

Where the old building was outdated and ineffective, FORGE emphasises amenities, collaboration and employee wellbeing. The building features 75,000 sq ft of creative office space, a welcoming café at the entrance, breakout spaces integrated into the new atrium grid structure and relaxing sun loungers on the top floor sun deck. There’s also a gym, changing rooms, bike parking and a drone pad.

In the post-pandemic era, V7 recognises that we have a responsibility to cultivate environments that nurture innovation and wellbeing. Through deliberate architectural interventions, we have crafted expansive spaces and diverse work settings within the building. FORGE demonstrates our commitment to building well-rounded, responsible modern workplaces.
Website
FORGE is now unrecognisable and tailored for the modern worker.
Next
Before
After
Gallery
Responsibility
With a key focus on re-use in V7, the project meticulously surveyed the façade, glazing, and structure. It was determined that the brick façade, existing glazing, and the structure were all deemed fit for purpose for at least another 15 years hence we decided to re-use and protect the embodied carbon.
Statistics
  • Carbon Saved
    648tCO₂e
  • BREEAM
    Excellent
  • Projected Operational Energy
    91kWh/m²
  • EPC
    B
  • Wiredscore
    Platinum
Learnings
The project was under construction when COVID hit. This presented a major challenge however the professional team and contractor had daily meetings to form a plan. Practical completion slipped by 5 months however the scheme was still bought in on budget.
Unconventional materials During the design phase, we challenged the team to use materials that were not normally seen in office buildings. A standout feature was the reception wall, clad in burnt timber and oiled steel. These unconventional choices exude a sleek, tactile allure, far beyond the mundane plastered walls typically encountered.
Construction and Covid certainly don’t pair well... We were on site when Covid-19 hit the UK. It put an immediate stop to all works while the client team and contractor reviewed the situation and put a strategy in place. The collaborative approach led to a total downtime of just 10 days and whilst the build period was lengthened, the works could continue by putting a one-way system around the building and limiting the number of people on site. The total delay to the programme was 5 months and the scheme was bought in on budget.
Getting precious space back The original HVAC system was VAV which included duct work large enough to walk in! The refurbishment involved the full decarbonisation of the building so the HVAC was replaced with a VRF system. This gave us a huge amount of space back in the plant room. In fact, it gave us so much space back we gained a whole floor on new NIA!
Additional Information
Next Place

Explore additional projects focused on ESG principles and the enhancement of existing buildings.

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28 Dingwall Road London
Located a short walk from Croydon East train station, this full repositioning and extension of late 1980s office building provides an amazing opportunity to introduce six floors of exciting Grade A office space into a very constrained market.