The Acre

In London, as in many other global cities where aging office buildings and other devalued assets are declining while other buildings climb in value, a fresh approach and thinking are required to revitalise these environments and make them relevant and capable of attracting top tenants and talent.

Recognising the unrealised potential of a late 1980s Richard Seifert-designed Brutalist building that was originally a bank, Gensler transformed an inward-looking, closed off building into a modern and sustainable workplace that connects The Acre’s past with its future in the heart of London’s Covent Garden.

In deliberately reshaping and reorienting key areas to direct attention towards one of Covent Garden’s most iconic intersections, the design team transformed The Acre’s relationship with its surroundings, inviting people to explore and connect with the space in new ways. Staggered terraces spread across eight floors create distinctive and inviting areas where people can step outside and further enjoy the vibrant neighbourhood.

Outside, the concrete façade maintains the building’s robust, original character. With a focus on preservation and carbon reduction, the team retained 80% of the original structure, saving approximately 4,250 tonnes of CO₂ and significantly contributing to the building’s BREEAM Outstanding target. By selectively enhancing specific elements rather than overhauling the entire façade, the project also achieved an EPC A (Very Efficient) rating.

Gensler unified The Acre’s massing, which expanded the floor space to 260,000 square feet, creating the largest open office floorplates in Covent Garden — ranging in size from 12,000 to 32,000 square feet. As visitors navigate through from each of the two main entrances, they encounter various retail and amenity offerings that culminate in the central Acre Café — a seven-story glazed atrium ‘heart space’ that welcomes the community and the public within the building.

With substantial whole-life carbon savings, well-being interventions, natural ventilation, biodiverse terraces, public spaces, and green travel features, The Acre is on track to achieve a 4.5 NABERS UK Star rating, alongside WELL Platinum and Fitwel 3 Star aspirations — the highest levels on the leading international frameworks for health and well-being in buildings.

The Acre embraces the character of its past, enhanced by sustainability and well-being interventions, improved public realm, and a modern lens. It stands as a testament to the project partners’ commitment to creating healthy, positive, and joyful workplaces in the heart of Covent Garden.