Multi-disciplinary practice, rg+p Ltd, has relocated its Leicester studio to Canopy, marking a move that will see the firm occupy significant new office space within the creative hub and workspaces it designed.
Canopy is a £13.3m project that has transformed five separate but interconnected former factory buildings on King Street into high-quality workspaces, meeting and conference facilities, co-working lounge, reception and outdoor courtyard. rg+p won the original competition to design the redevelopment and has since acted as architect and planning consultant on the stunning regeneration.
The firm’s director, Rob Woolston comments:
“Our connection with the Pilot House buildings dates back to 2022, when we first began working with Leicester City Council on a design to bring this cluster of buildings back into productive use while retaining their historic character.
“Inspired by the success of the nearby LCB Depot, the aim was to create contemporary, flexible workspaces specifically to appeal to creative, tech and design-based businesses. The final design takes advantage of the original industrial aesthetic, retaining existing heritage features such as exposed brick and beams, and original parquet flooring. These are complemented with bold and contemporary elements including a stunning glazed roof in the central atrium and a new entrance on King Street,” adds Rob.
The central atrium, or hub as it is known, also includes event and exhibition space and a café which is open to the public. Painted exposed ductwork, inspired by the Pompidou Centre in Paris, creates visual interest while new trees and planting improve air quality and make an attractive meeting place.
rg+p has relocated all its Leicester team to Canopy, having previously occupied premises on New Walk and most recently, at Waterloo House on Princess Road West. Its studios in London and Birmingham remain unchanged.
“With the lease on our Leicester studio ending, we quickly realised the space we were looking for was the one that we are incredibly proud to have helped to create,” says James Badley, rg+p’s director. “Canopy is a great fit for our practice; it is the embodiment of our collaborative ethos and we’re excited to make this our new home in Leicester, where we have operated for 45 years.” Construction on Canopy was undertaken by Henry Brothers under contract to Leicester City Council and businesses started moving in from early 2026.
Speaking about the project, Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Along withsupporting hundreds of high-quality jobs in the city’s thriving creative sector, this important redevelopment will contribute to the wider regeneration and prosperity of King Street, Belvoir Street, Market Street and the New Walk area. It will also complement recent landmark developments like the Gresham Building.
“The fact that the project’s architects, rg+p were the first confirmed tenants of Canopy is hugely encouraging. It’s a clear endorsement of what a well-considered and architecturally stunning new workspace they have helped to create.”
From Canopy, rg+p will deliver its award-winning services, which include architecture and interior design; placemaking and urbanism; project management and cost consultancy. The practice has contributed significantly to Leicester’s cityscape over the past four and half decades, with notable schemes including The Gresham (formerly Fenwick’s department store), the Waterside regeneration including hundreds of new homes at Wolsey Island and Abbey Meadows, and Ashton Green, a major sustainable urban extension.