John Robertson Architects (JRA), a London-based architecture practice specialising in the reimagining and retrofitting of legacy commercial assets, has completed works to repurpose parts of 60 Threadneedle Street, a prominent office building located in the City of London’s Bank district.
Occupying a highly visible curved frontage opposite the Royal Exchange and overlooking the Bank of England at the junction of Old Broad Street and Threadneedle Street, the building sits within the Bank Conservation Area, a historic zone that also includes landmarks such as Mansion House, with protected sightlines towards St Paul’s Cathedral and St Mary-le-Bow Church.
Originally designed by Eric Parry Architects and completed in 2009 for client Hammerson UK Properties PLC, the building is recognised for its striking façade and architectural quality, earning both the RIBA London Award in 2010 and Property Week’s City Development of the Year in 2009. Since completion, 60 Threadneedle Street has been home to several leading financial institutions, including USS, the UK’s largest private pension scheme, and Berenberg Bank, the world’s oldest merchant bank. 60 Threadneedle Street comprises a basement, lower ground and ground floor, and eight upper levels, providing approximately 19,810 m² (NIA) of office space. JRA’s works focused on repurposing and upgrading key areas of the building to enhance functionality, user experience, and sustainability.
At ground level, the arrival experience has been completely reimagined. The existing sliding doors and entrance cladding were replaced to improve the building’s identity and street presence, while the large reception area was reconfigured to create a more welcoming and versatile space for tenants and visitors.
The redesigned lobby now features a relocated reception desk with speed gates, a self-service coffee bar, and an adjacent lounge area offering informal seating and co-working opportunities surrounded by planting. The replacement of the former curved sliding doors with a revolving entrance door, as well as an adjacent pass door, helps maintain a comfortable internal environment during colder months.
At Level 8, which was vacated prior to the works, JRA delivered a comprehensive refurbishment including new access doors, balustrades, and high-quality internal finishes. The previously underused roof area, once limited to maintenance access and a low-grade sedum roof, has been transformed into a vibrant roof garden designed in collaboration with Giverny Flowers.
This new landscaped terrace incorporates planting and seating areas and relocates part of the sedum roof to Level 9, enriching the building’s biodiversity. The carefully curated planting scheme combines evergreen shrubs, trees, perennials, and ornamental grasses to attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees, while supporting ecological balance through natural pest control. A bespoke, low-impact lighting scheme highlights the garden’s features without resorting to generic floodlighting, creating a calm and atmospheric evening environment.
At basement level, the former car and motorcycle parking areas have been repurposed into new end-of- journey facilities, including contemporary showers, dedicated changing rooms with lockers and ironing stations, and extensive cycle storage, promoting active travel and wellbeing for building users.
The result is a series of sensitive yet transformative upgrades that enhance the building’s environmental performance and amenity offering, ensuring 60 Threadneedle Street remains a best-in-class workplace within the City of London. The building is now fully let, with Level 8 successfully leased prior to completion of the fit-out.
Nathalie Bergvall, Director at John Robertson Architects, says: “While Eric Parry’s design is an iconic aspect of Bank’s heritage townscape, after 15 years of use, parts of the original design needed an additional layer of up-to-date facilities to allow it to be ready to future proof the building for the next 15 years. In line with our client and the City Corporation’s ESG commitments, we’re proud to have led on a design that brings this office up to contemporary standards while minimising carbon spend.
“Collaborating closely with the client and key consultants, we’ve made targeted, impactful updates to ensure the building better serves the needs of both new occupiers and visitors. Our interventions – especially the redesign of the reception space – will not only enhance the building’s appeal but also create dynamic spaces for collaboration and socialising within the heart of the City.”