Tower Bridge Court

ECE Architecture

Reimagining the existing Tower Bridge Court site through revolutionary steel repurposing, setting new standards for sustainable commercial retrofit while honouring London’s industrial heritage.

Appointed by Willmott Dixon to deliver RIBA Stages 4-6, our team embraced the challenge of transforming this central London landmark into one of the UK’s most sustainable commercial developments. The project has achieved exceptional environmental credentials, including BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, WELL ‘Platinum’, and multiple other exacting sustainability certifications.

At the heart of this pioneering project lies an ambitious circular economy approach. In a UK first, we worked with the wider team to incorporate 20 tonnes of pre-Second World War steel salvaged from Oxford Street’s House of Fraser refurbishment.

This innovative ‘urban mining‘ technique saved approximately 48 tonnes of carbon dioxide compared to installing an entirely new steel frame. Select salvaged beams are on show throughout the building, celebrating London’s rich industrial past while educating occupants about circular economy principles.

The technical delivery presented significant challenges, particularly at the interface between the existing retained structure, site boundary, and proximity to Tower Bridge. Our team demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills while working within the constraints imposed by the City of London’s airspace and oversailing agreements. Through careful development of the external envelope detailing, we ensured compliance without compromising performance. We also successfully secured approval for two Non-Material Amendments, adapting the design to enhance buildability whilst improving upon the original design intent.

The integration of historic steel demanded careful coordination across the project team. As executive architects, we collaborated with structural engineers and fabricators who conducted the essential checks and resolved the complexities of working with older steel sections. Our focus was to ensure these unique elements integrated seamlessly with the overall design, particularly where steelwork remained exposed.

Beyond the innovative steel reuse, our redesign of the basement level layout significantly improved accessibility and flow while working within existing constraints. The enhanced end-of-trip facilities contributed to the building achieving ActiveScore Platinum status, recognising its exceptional provision for active commuters.

The comprehensive transformation includes demolition of existing façades, partial retention of the concrete frame, introduction of new service cores and atria, plus creation of a main entrance podium onto Tower Bridge Road. The new façades feature brickwork, projecting bay windows, and metal rainscreen cladding with exposed industrial fixings – all designed to echo the industrial character of the site context while delivering contemporary performance.

Tower Bridge Court exemplifies how technical expertise and sustainability ambition can coexist. This benchmark retrofit proves that intelligent material reuse creates exceptional architecture – respecting heritage while advancing our industry’s environmental responsibility.