The Leadenhall Building to be RSHP’s new home
14 January 2015
RSHP has signed an agreement with developers British Land and Oxford Properties to lease level 14 of The Leadenhall Building, a new office tower in the City of London designed by the practice.
RSHP, who will relocate later in 2015 after more than thirty years at Thames Wharf Studios, Hammersmith, is taking a 15 year lease with 10 year break for level 14, which at 18,000 sq ft is the largest remaining floor at the building.
RSHP was appointed by British Land in 2001 to develop plans for the office building at 122 Leadenhall Street. Led by Partner Graham Stirk, the design team conceived the building’s distinctive slanting profile, which has earned the building the nickname ‘The Cheesegrater’, in order to respect a protected sight line of St Paul’s Cathedral from Fleet Street.
The Leadenhall Building, the tallest in The City of London, is equally recognisable at street level where it creates a new seven-storey high public space complementing the adjacent St Helen’s Square. This area runs underneath the building, opening a new public route from Bishopsgate through to Leadenhall Street.
The Partners at RSHP said: “We are very proud of The Leadenhall Building and delighted to become its latest tenants. After 30 years at Thames Wharf Studios, it is important for us to be moving into a building that reflects the ethos and evolution of our design practice, clearly stated in its urban relationship with the Lloyd’s building opposite. We will begin this new phase of our history in a building that already feels like home but allows us the advantages of a contemporary, flexible office space in a prime location in the increasingly vibrant and exciting City of London.”
Tim Roberts, Head of Offices at British Land said: “Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has been a trusted partner throughout the conception and delivery of The Leadenhall Building, and we are delighted that this relationship will continue with them as an occupier of the building. The decision of the practice to move here underlines that this building is emblematic of the modern City, appealing to a diverse mix of occupiers in addition to those from the financial services sector.”
Mike Rayner, Head of Development at Oxford Properties said: “Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is one of the world’s leading architecture practices and their decision to move to The Leadenhall Building provides the ultimate endorsement. This is a world class building, which is attracting high calibre occupiers across a broad range of sectors.”