Mace Construct to deliver landmark office retrofit in London’s finance district
Mace Construct, one of the UK’s leading contractors, has been appointed to deliver the low carbon retrofit of 60 Queen Victoria Street (QVS), a c.180,000 sq ft office building in the heart of London’s financial district.
Originally built in the 1990s, the new designs will retain the architectural character of the existing building while substantially improving its environmental performance and occupier experience.
As a carbon focused “cut and carve” retrofit, the project prioritises retaining and re-using as much of the existing structure as possible while upgrading the building to modern standards. This approach significantly reduces embodied carbon compared with a full demolition and rebuild, while still enabling major structural, services and architectural enhancements.
The extensive works include a full replacement of all MEP infrastructure, the complete overhaul of the former two-storey basement car park and office floor, and significant structural and building fabric upgrades. The lower ground floor will be transformed to provide new end of trip facilities, including showers, changing rooms and a bike store. Additional enhancements include the refurbishment and fitout of the ground floor reception, café space and meeting room, as well as Cat A fit out on levels 1, 7 and 9. The project will also deliver new architectural features such as a CLT rooftop pavilion and communal terrace at Level 9 as well as an atrium infill to allow additional area and tenant demised terraces on each floor facing Pancras Lane.
This is the third live project on Queen Victoria Street for Mace Construct, with fitout schemes situated either side at 3 and 99 Queen Victoria Street.
Recognised for its striking façade, with pre-patinated bronze and brise soleil screens, the building will be modified under consented plans to increase natural light and create a more modern workspace.
With a major commitment to sustainable delivery, Mace Construct has highlighted the importance of supporting a circular economy and offsite manufacturing. Identifying recycled materials, including recycled steel, low carbon aluminium and ceiling tiles, has set the project ambitious environmental targets, aiming for a 33% reduction in upfront embodied carbon as compared to GLA targets of 600 kg/CO₂e per m².
The scheme aims to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and enrolled to pursue WELL Core Certification. The scheme has achieved Wiredscore Platinum in design.
The Development Manager for the scheme is M3 Consulting.
Ged Simmonds, Managing Director for Private Sector Mace Construct, said:
“This ambitious retrofit opportunity reflects our continued commitment to sustainable construction, where innovative thinking and responsible material use shape our approach. At 60 Queen Victoria Street, we are working closely with the team to explore solutions that respect the existing structure while enabling a modern, low carbon workspace. As our third project along Queen Victoria Street, this scheme further demonstrates the city’s shift towards sustainability driven, reuse focused development.”