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Prominent European hub for Capital Group at Paddington

We delivered an innovative new home for Capital Group, requiring strategic problem solving and in-depth planning with the project targeting LEED Gold and BREEAM Excellent.

Project partners

  • CBRE
  • tp bennett
  • ChapmanBDSP
"In 30 years of running projects like these, I have not come across a team as a good as yours in regards to your project management and on-site direction."

Richard Jeng, Capital Group

Key features

  • Statement auditorium
  • Logistical planning
  • Cantilevered staircases
  • Early workshops with trades

Capital Group seized the opportunity of a lease break to relocate to a new 221,000 sq ft office space in Paddington. They had a clear vision for the nine floor fit out, aiming to maintain a formal office environment with a blend of private and open plan offices alongside a variety of meeting rooms. Additionally, they wanted to incorporate informal touchdown collaboration zones to encourage a collaborative atmosphere.

On level 16, Capital Group required a statement client suite that included a new auditorium and kitchen. To link the floors throughout the building in a bespoke and unique manner, two staircases were also part of the design. The overarching goal was to optimise their workspace, accommodate various functional areas and establish a modern, efficient environment tailored to their daily operations.

Stealing the show

We knew that the project’s success would hinge on a comprehensive delivery plan that blended the innovative design features, with strategic problem-solving and time management. We identified that one of the most important parts of the brief and one of the most complex parts of the project would be the delivery of the staircases. The two steel cantilevered staircases required meticulous logistical planning, due to their unique specifications. We collaborated with the base build contractor to ensure precise alignment and fit, almost 1,000 steel fins were individually welded to make up the external balustrade.

The staircase installation needed careful coordination with other elements of the project, so to handle these complex design issues, our team held workshops with multiple trades to ensure everyone fulfilled their roles perfectly. We also separated the staircases from the rest of the project so works could constantly take place. This decision enabled us to complete the staircases on schedule and allowed the client's furniture installation to take place on time.

Innovative delivery for optimum acoustics

The brief called for a new auditorium, so using an innovative box-in-box construction technique, we delivered a separate internal space that features 145 seats and focuses on using the space efficiently whilst optimising acoustics. We worked with Capital Group to manage aspects of the project that were more complicated, such as AV, reducing the project risk and keeping the client involved in the project delivery. To avoid potential delays, we developed an opportunity programme that enabled us to commence critical activities ahead of schedule.

Social value initiatives

Over the course of the project, we undertook numerous social value initiatives in the communities surrounding Paddington. These included delivering a community dinner for 100 retired seafarers and ex-servicemen at the Queen Victoria Seamen's Rest homeless shelter and offering work experience opportunities for local school students, with two students being accepted onto our Foundation Programme. The site team also took part in the COSMIC Dragon Boat Race in Paddington Basin, helping to raise money for children and babies in intensive care.

As part of the project completion, we also gifted the client team 60 Madlug backpacks in alignment with our social value mission to support social enterprises and B-Corps. For every bag purchased, a pack-away travel bag is donated to a child in care.

‘Wow factor’

The finished office has delighted Capital Group, with the staircases and auditorium stealing the show and creating a ‘real wow factor’. The office has been futureproofed with the latest technology and a design that oozes longevity. As a result, the project has received a LEED Gold environmental accreditation and is hoping to achieve a BREEAM Excellent environmental standard, recognition of the client’s and our environmental commitments.

  • Paddington, London
  • 221,000 sq ft
  • 52 weeks
  • Social value initiatives
  • LEED Gold certified
  • BREEAM Excellent target

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