The Acre

London, United Kingdom

Reimagining a Brutalist London Landmark for a Sustainable Future

Gensler partnered with Northwood Investors to transform a 1980s building in Covent Garden into a modern, sustainable workplace — honouring its history while enhancing its connection to the city’s vibrant public realm.
The Acre building exterior
The Acre lobby
The Acre high angle view of building interior
A street with people and buildings along it.
The Acre building exterior close-up of top
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Adaptive Reuse of a 1980s Brutalist Landmark
  • 260,000 Square Feet of Reimagined Workspace
  • Covent Garden’s Largest Open Office Floorplates (12,000–32,000 Sq. Ft.)
  • Targeting BREEAM Outstanding, 4.5 NABERS UK Star Rating, WELL Platinum, and Fitwel 3 Star Rating
  • 80% of Original Structure Retained, Saving ~4,250 Tonnes of CO₂
  • Achieved EPC A Rating With an Upgraded Building Envelope and High-Efficiency Systems
  • 12,000 Square Feet of Multiple Terraces With Greenery
  • 7-Storey Glazed Atrium ‘Heart Space’ Welcomes the Community
  • Mixed-Mode Ventilation and All-Electric Operation for Energy Efficiency
  • Thoughtfully Restored Public Realm and Pedestrian-Friendly Entrances
A group of people in a room.
Challenge

Like other global cities striving to meet sustainability goals, London is rethinking how it approaches its aging commercial building stock. With embodied carbon becoming a key consideration, developers are shifting away from demolition in favour of adaptive reuse — breathing new life into existing structures while significantly reducing environmental impact. In Covent Garden, a district known for its rich history and vibrant energy, the challenge is to balance preservation with innovation — creating workplaces that honour the past and integrate with their surroundings, while supporting the needs of modern tenants.

Solution

Gensler’s transformation of The Acre reimagines a Richard Seifert-designed Brutalist landmark as a vibrant, sustainable workplace that embraces its Covent Garden setting. New entrances, retail, and a central café create an open, engaging streetscape and heart space, while greened terraces spread across the eight floors offer seamless indoor-outdoor connections. Inside, warm, organic materials and curves contrast the concrete exterior, softening the scale and creating a welcoming atmosphere. A mix of adaptable layouts and communal spaces ensures the building’s longevity while inviting the community to explore and connect with the space in new ways.

Impact

The Acre now offers a high-performance, flexible workplace that meets contemporary tenant needs while contributing to Covent Garden’s urban fabric. Its design enhances public engagement, promotes well-being, and sets a benchmark for sustainable retrofitting in London’s commercial sector. By retaining 80% of the original structure, the project saved approximately 4,250 tonnes of CO₂, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. It stands as an exemplary transformation of an inward-facing building into a vibrant, sustainable workplace supporting both tenants and the surrounding community.

The Acre street view
The Acre undulating wall bench
“
The Acre is now part of a tapestry of existing culture, energy, and connectivity that is increasingly drawing occupiers to the West End. This project demonstrates the potential for the sustainable reuse of buildings in a way that responds intelligently to occupier demand.
—James Myburgh, Vice President at Northwood Investors
A person standing in front of a display of wooden objects.
A group of flying insects.
A building with many windows.
The Acre building interior with people sitting on steps
The Acre building interior with many windows
A group of people sitting outside a building.
Areas of Expertise
Recognition
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Further Reading
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Gensler’s 2025 City Pulse survey examines the emotional and practical drivers of urban migration, drawing insights from 33,000 residents across 65 global cities.
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Research

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Gensler surveyed 33,000 people across 65 cities to uncover what makes a city magnetic — how it attracts new residents and keeps them wanting to stay.
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