The building’s owners, British Steel Pension Fund, sought to refurbish the 8-storey office building following the main tenant serving notice to vacate the property.

McBains was involved from the outset, having been instructed to prepare terminal dilapidation schedules and to negotiate settlements with the outgoing tenants, before going on to undertake the development of a concept design for all common parts, as well as preparing full plans and specifications and providing contract administration duties in relation to the refurbishment.

15 Fetter Lane is located opposite the Grade II listed former Public Records Office, with Chancery Lane Conservation Area to the west, and the Fleet Street Conservation Area to the east, meaning that any external renovations needed to be in keeping with the surroundings.

The building’s previous entrance, located on the corner of West Harding Street and Fetter Lane, consisted of a glazed single storey façade cut diagonally across the corner with a revolving door centrally positioned, with pass doors either side but concealed by a dark stone column. In addition, the building stepped out at second floor level, immediately adjacent to the entrance on both façades, further detracting from the prominence of the entrance.

Our proposed alterations included the removal of the existing under croft glazed entrance with revolving door and its replacement with a glazed curtain wall to square off the reception area and bring the entrance out to Fetter Lane.

In addition to repositioning the entrance, the new design incorporates a canopy, which wraps around the corner and creates a strong street presence and identifier.

The scheme included the following works to six vacated floors:

• Installation of new air conditioning system;
• Installation of new LED lighting;
• New ceilings and floors;
• Refurbishment of core WCs;
• Creation of new central cycle stores, showers, changing rooms and drying room;
• Total refurbishment of the ground floor reception; and
• Installation of new glass balustrades to balcony areas.

McBains provided building surveying, mechanical & electrical engineering and architectural services to the scheme, in connection with terminal dilapidations and contract administration duties