Best of the Best Award

Given the economic climate in which commercial buildings would have commenced in order to qualify for this year, it is understandable that those that stood out were individual in their own right and were targeted at a slightly different “non-traditional” area of the market: Legal & General Property and Mitsubishi Estate Company’s Central Saint Giles is an outstanding success in this respect.

Central Saint Giles set out to be more than “just” an office building; the office space is clearly the main value driver but is part of a mixed use complex which includes both market and affordable residential accommodation and ground floor restaurants. This mix on its own was deemed not enough and what is really noteworthy about this 64,000m² development is the attempt to open up a number of routes through and across the site, in a way which has already transformed the surrounding area.  

The developers took a bold step in completely reinventing a moribund part of the city, and the boldest step was probably choosing Renzo Piano as the main architect – along with Fletcher Priest - and then allowing him free rein to work his magic. The resultant creation of a truly cosmopolitan new space for London clearly demonstrates the empathy between developers and the architects and a realisation that success could only be achieved by doing something truly remarkable. This is apparent in the distinctive approach to the use of colour which can only have resulted from a deep sense of mutual trust and respect; love it or hate it, it certainly stands out.

Previously an MOD fortress, the site has been transformed from what was in effect a giant “no go” roundabout, into a destination in its own right, by bringing the ground floor plane alive and allowing the public to criss-cross throughout.

The first aspect of the office building itself to impress, is the stunning full length double height reception area, which has been created as a social space in its own right, and is fully open to the new piazza outside and the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden opposite. The office space is tall, light and airy and the use of corner winter gardens and ‘cuts’ in the façade allows for individual spaces to be created, in what would otherwise be deep plan and large floor space. The fact that the building is now fully let is a testament to the adaptability and attractiveness of the floor space

Central Saint Giles demonstrates the fact that to create a new destination and reinvigorate values in what might have been ‘off-pitch’ locations, it is essential to do something transformational. This has been achieved by opening up the whole of the ground floor (including the office entrance space itself) to invite the public in and through the complex, and is a trend which Central Saint Giles continues in the vein of previous BCO Best of the Best winners.