Bloomberg’s new City digs crowned best corporate workplace by BCO|||
The new Bloomberg offices, the White Collar Factory, and Here East are amongst the London workplaces recognised but the British Council for Offices (BCO) as the best workplaces in the capital.
Foster + Partners’ new Bloomberg offices in the City of London was recognised as the best corporate workplace, with judges praising how the office reflects the business’ corporate values of collaboration and teamwork. Each desk includes a button that allows it to be raised or lowered according to the preference of the worker at that station, demonstrating Bloomberg’s focus on its people. Sustainable features such as the deep plan natural ventilation system, made possible by the facade design and integrated bronze cooling panels on the ceilings, have helped 3 Queen Victoria Street achieve a BREEAM outstanding rating with the highest score of any building to date.
The White Collar Factory, AHMM’s eco-friendly Old Street behemoth, was awarded the best commercial workplace and the innovation award. The development was praised by the judges for “having challenged the very concept of the workplace”. Featuring a rooftop running track and a café, the White Collar Factory was perceived to deliver a unique combination of services that the judges felt was evidence of Derwent London’s innovative approach to how the building delivers for its occupiers. The judges also noted the positive impact the development has had on the local environment – describing it as ‘instrumental’ in re-defining Old Street as a location for business.
The BCO singled out the impact of HAVAS UK’s relocation of their headquarters in the best fit out of a workplace category, noting that the execution of the project delivered a unique workplace fit out for each of Havas’ individual brands, while creating a sense of tangible connectivity across the office building. This was aided by the high standard of furniture and finish across the office’s amenity spaces such as the café, auditorium and reception area.
In the best refurbished/recycled workplace category, the BCO recognised Here East’s creative campus provided an innovative solution to what they described as a particularly non-traditional starting point. Here East offers a range of spaces, from co-working to business incubators, and broadcasting studios; a model the BCO recognised as a key trend for the future.
The BCO’s awards recognise the highest quality workplaces and sets the standard for excellence across the regional and national office sectors. “The quality and variety of the submissions this year was hugely impressive and provided the judges with a major challenge both in shortlisting and in selecting the ultimate winners in each category,” said Nick Searl, Partner at Argent LLP and Chairman of BCO London Judging Panel. “During the visits, where we might perhaps have expected the shadow of Brexit to be dampening enthusiasm, we were instead met with an overriding sense of positivity. From refurbishments where micro-businesses can incubate and flourish, through to major corporate headquarters designed to deliver personality and identity for their occupants, the range and quality of submissions was symbolic of a belief that these businesses will continue to grow and prosper.”
In its annual awards, the BCO has crowned Bloomberg, Here East, and WHite Collar Factory as the best workplaces in London
