The 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, David Chipperfield Architects, has relocated to The Langham Estate, taking 10,355 sq ft of space at 22 Little Portland Street in a newly refurbished Fitzrovia office.
The international architecture practice sought a prime central London location that would offer increased connectivity, more space, greater local amenities, and proximity to a range of high-profile cultural organisations.
The practice was founded in 1985 in nearby Marylebone and is returning to the West End after time in Camden, Waterloo, Aldwych and Clerkenwell. For the first time since its Camden office, the practice will occupy an entire building and have its own street-front presence.
Following an extensive refurbishment project, which introduced new social and entertainment spaces for staff and clients, including a new roof terrace, as well as the upgrading of windows throughout including a large-scale ground floor window that opens onto the street. The Langham Estate and David Chipperfield Architects agreed a 10-year lease for the building.
As firms increasingly return to office-based working, there has been a ‘flight to quality’ in the office sector, as agents such as Savills and Colliers have reported, with demand highest for prime assets in iconic central London locations such as Fitzrovia Quarter, where the majority of The Langham Estate’s assets are located.
Julia Loughnane, Director, David Chipperfield Architects, London commented: “We are delighted to have moved into our new home in Fitzrovia and it is exciting to be back in the West End again after so many years away. Being right in the centre of the city, with access to arts and cultural institutions, retail and dining options is inspiring for us as architects and designers.
“For the first time in many years, we occupy an entire building and have our own street-front presence, allowing a more engaged relationship with the city and public. We are now enjoying the process of making the space our professional home and an embodiment of the collaborative principles that underpin our practice.”
Malcolm Cohen, Leasing and Marketing Director at The Langham Estate, said:
“As the demand for prime, sustainable office space grows, Fitzrovia remains a top choice for businesses looking to take advantage of its discerning reputation, world-class restaurants and cultural institutions, and calm feel.
“A successful office space should cater to the specific needs of a business and support its strategic ambitions. Through close collaboration with David Chipperfield Architects during the refurbishment, together we’ve created an office that will add to the area’s thriving creative and cultural sphere while delivering excellent sustainability outcomes through a deep retrofit of the building.
“Ultimately, this latest leasing is a vote of confidence in the West End, which remains the area of choice for high-profile businesses seeking to establish their headquarters in one of London’s best-known neighbourhoods amidst a return to working in the office.”