100 Brewery Road
Breathing new life into an industrial building for the next generation of workspace
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Overview
100 Brewery Road is the retrofit and refurbishment of a mid-century industrial building in Islington, London, delivering 4,700m² of flexible commercial office and light industrial space. Rather than demolish and rebuild, the project reimagines an existing structure, extending its lifespan while significantly improving environmental performance, user experience and long-term adaptability.
The development demonstrates how thoughtful retrofit can unlock the value of existing buildings, creating contemporary workplaces that support both sustainability objectives and the evolving needs of businesses and communities.
Breathing new life into an existing building
Previously used for clothing production, the building has been sensitively transformed into modern commercial accommodation through a series of targeted interventions. These include a new entrance and circulation core, a light-filled three-storey atrium, reconfigured floorplates and a lightweight additional floor with terraces overlooking the city.
The design retains and celebrates the building’s industrial character while introducing flexible, future-ready spaces that can accommodate a diverse range of occupiers. By adapting the existing structure, the project preserves the site’s heritage and embodied carbon while creating a vibrant new workplace environment.
Sustainability through retrofit
Sustainability was the driving force behind the project. By prioritising retention and reuse, the development delivers substantial embodied carbon savings compared with demolition and new construction. Enhancements to the building envelope, replacement glazing and highly efficient building services have significantly reduced operational energy demand.
The roof incorporates 81 photovoltaic panels, biodiverse green roof, helping reduce carbon emissions, support urban ecology and improve environmental performance.
These measures contributed to a 30.7% reduction in carbon emissions and the achievement of a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.
Supporting people and place
The refurbishment creates healthier and more attractive working environments through improved amenities, enhanced accessibility, generous outdoor terraces and high-quality communal spaces. The introduction of cyclist facilities further encourages sustainable travel and supports employee wellbeing.
Beyond the building itself, the project contributes to the continued regeneration of the local area. Increased occupancy and activity will bring greater vitality to the neighbourhood, supporting local businesses, improving street activation and strengthening the area’s diverse commercial character.
At a glance
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