Royal Exchange Buildings is a Grade II listed office and retail building in the heart of the City. While the façade retains a strong civic presence, the interior had evolved over time and presented an opportunity to elevate workplace quality, environmental performance and building systems to contemporary standards.

The client’s ambition was clear: reposition the asset as high-quality, future-ready office space while respecting its listed status and protecting its long-term value.

During strip-out, previously concealed elements of the original structure were revealed, creating the opportunity for a more extensive and coordinated programme of enhancement. What began as a refurbishment evolved into a comprehensive upgrade of the building’s life-safety strategy and environmental performance.

We approached the project as both a heritage exercise and a technical transformation. The listed façade required careful stewardship, while internally the building was comprehensively upgraded to deliver a step change in fire strategy, services integration and sustainability performance.

The refinement of the fire strategy was central to the scheme. We re-evaluated compartmentation approaches, enhanced floor and ceiling assemblies, and integrated new services while preserving spatial quality. Every intervention was carefully coordinated to meet statutory requirements and respect the sensitivities of a listed structure.

At the same time, the scheme targeted BREEAM Excellent. This required a holistic sustainability strategy — modernising M&E systems, improving energy performance and enhancing end-of-trip facilities — all within the constraints of an existing urban building.

The result is a thoroughly modernised, efficient and future-ready workplace that sensitively integrates contemporary performance standards within a historic fabric.

Royal Exchange Buildings now offers high-quality Category A+ office accommodation aligned with contemporary occupier expectations. Fire strategy enhancements are discreetly embedded within the fabric of the building, delivering robust life-safety performance while preserving its character.

New cycle and shower facilities, modernised building services and improved environmental performance position the asset competitively within the City market.

The building retains its historic civic presence while performing to modern commercial and sustainability standards, extending its lifespan, enhancing tenant appeal and securing long-term value for the client.