The Northcliffe
Efficient
Embedded Carbon
Timothy Soar

The Northcliffe

In Opera Group as Suppliers

The Northcliffe, a Grade II listed building on Tudor Street in the City of London, was formerly the headquarters and print works of the Daily Mail. Located near Fleet Street, architects JRA repositioned the building to attract tenants from the insurance, legal, fintech, social media, and technology sectors. Originally built in the 1920s and redeveloped in 2001, JRA's design preserves the original Daily Mail facades while expanding office space on the upper three floors. The space has been retrofitted, and the atrium reconfigured to include amenity areas, break-out spaces, and a café.

 

Achieving BREEAM Outstanding—an accolade attained by only 1% of refurbished buildings—and certified EPC B, the project surpasses RIBA’s 2030 embodied energy emissions targets.

photo_credit Timothy Soar
Timothy Soar

The Northcliffe building, originally constructed as the Daily Mail headquarters between 1925 and 1926, has undergone a thoughtful transformation led by JRA since its last redevelopment in 2001. The firm aimed to preserve the building’s Grade II listed façade while creating a modern, sustainable office environment that aligns with the goals of the Fleet Street Business Improvement District.

Key improvements include the preservation of the original façades and an expansion of the upper-floor office space. The main entrance has been relocated to enhance visitor access, leading to a revamped reception area featuring comfortable lounge settings, a library, and a quiet room. The atrium has been stylishly upgraded, retaining much of its original glazing while incorporating new sections for scenic lift cars and office floor projections, all connected by a refurbished gantry.

The reception and lounge are characterized by a 1920s aesthetic with bold geometric patterns, highlighted by EPD-certified terrazzo flooring provided by Opera Group. The main entrance is particularly striking, featuring a geometric-patterned terrazzo floor that creates an inviting first impression.

Designed with a post-pandemic context in mind, JRA has embraced the building’s heritage while integrating innovative features across the office space. The revamped Northcliffe offers 186,700 sq ft of retrofitted office space with a strong focus on sustainability, reflecting its post-industrial heritage. The design includes diverse workspaces, flexible layouts to facilitate social distancing, touch-free technology, and abundant access to fresh air and natural light. Additionally, three new landscaped roof terraces enhance outdoor amenities and promote biodiversity for future tenants.

Caption

Addressing the climate crisis

A Life Cycle Assessment confirmed that retaining the superstructure and building fabric saved 53% of potential global warming compared to demolition. The project added 40m² of solar panels, 9,800 sq ft of landscaped terraces with biodiverse planting, 345 cycle spaces, and extensive premium end-of-trip facilities. All waste is diverted from landfills, the building runs on 100% renewable energy, and water consumption is over 55% more efficient. The design exceeds RIBA 2030 targets, is certified EPC B, and achieved BREEAM Outstanding at both design and completion stages.

 

Key technologies and environmental features at The Northcliffe

- Air source heat pumps and heat recovery chillers using low-GWP refrigerants R32 and R454B, powering an all-electric building.
- Real-time air quality monitoring with BMS-linked CO2 sensors on all office floors.
- A 64% reduction in operational CO2 emissions compared to the Part L baseline.
- A 57% improvement in water consumption over the BRE baseline.

 

Social sustainability

Social sustainability was prioritized through consultations with businesses, residents, and City Corporation officers, ensuring the design enhances the local context without obstructing views. The building now features a café, retail unit, cycle parking, improved lighting for artwork depicting the newspaper industry's evolution, and an enhanced exhibition of its history at ground level, all contributing to The Northcliffe’s sense of place in the City of London and the Fleet Street BID.

The design accommodates neurodiverse users with various work and amenity spaces, including lounge areas, a library, and a quiet room. Acoustic considerations were integral, with treatments in the reception and acoustic tiles in the ceilings. Daylight access was maximized by extending the atrium, providing open space planning for clear views, incorporating break-out spaces, and using glazed doors to open existing corridors. The terraces on levels five and six provide a garden wall backdrop for workspaces.

Caption

Inclusive accesibility

All areas of The Northcliffe are accessible and inclusive, featuring anti-slip access and circulation routes. All floors are reachable by lift, including the terraces, which offer level access and good lighting. The main entrance has wheelchair-friendly bi-parting drum curved sliding doors, an induction loop at the reception desk, and accessible toilets throughout the building. Clear signage and wayfinding enhance accessibility, with a prominent reception desk facing the entrance and a visible lift core. Additional features include contrasting floor materials to guide circulation, clear typography, and contrasting colors. Three fire escape stairs are available, each with visually contrasting handrails and stair nosing. Wheelchair refuges are defined in each lobby, equipped with two-way communication systems for emergency contact.

 

Material innovations

The project focused on maximizing the retained structure to minimize alterations, supported by a Life Cycle Assessment aimed at reducing embodied carbon through alternative specifications. An extensive responsible sourcing program ensured that selected products met low-carbon objectives.

Materials were chosen for their durability and natural qualities, creating a high-quality and inspiring space that resonates with the natural world. We incorporated terrazzo tiles containing marble chips, engineered oak flooring, and walnut-veneered timber slats on the reception ceiling, along with glazed porcelain tiles that showcase natural variations in color and texture.

photo_credit John Robertson Architects
John Robertson Architects

Handmade glazed terracotta was extensively used throughout the project. This natural raw material is abundant in the UK, contributing to low embodied energy and minimal transport emissions. It is durable and low-maintenance, resulting in a premium, long-lasting finish in the lift lobbies, bathrooms, and changing rooms, reflecting the project's jewel tones through its glazing.

On the terraces, the architects chose Kebony timber benches as a sustainable alternative to tropical hardwood, which often has a significant environmental impact. Kebony is made from FSC-certified softwood that is treated with a bio-based waste product, offering the aesthetic appeal of natural timber combined with the strength of hardwood, without the associated environmental costs.

photo_credit John Robertson Architects
John Robertson Architects

The collaboration between the ecologist, architect, and landscape designer was instrumental in achieving BREEAM ecology credits and implementing the necessary related actions. This teamwork has resulted in a project located in the city center that boasts a high level of ecological enhancement. The Northcliffe project aims to kickstart a green corridor, providing valuable habitats throughout the Fleet Street BID regeneration zone—an area currently lacking in both volume and density of green spaces.

 

Carbon Footprint
- Achieved a 64% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the Part L baseline scheme.  
- Realized a 53% reduction in global warming potential compared to demolition by retaining the superstructure and building fabric.  

 

Certifications

- BREEAM Outstanding for both design and completed project.  
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B.  
- WiredScore Platinum.  
- WELL Ready certification.  

 

Selected Awards and recognitions
- Winner of the BREEAM Awards for Best Refurbishment & Fit-out Project 2024.  
- Finalist in the AJ Retrofit and Reuse Awards, Positive Addition (£5 million and over) category for The Northcliffe.  
- Finalist in the BCO Awards for the Recycled Workspace Category for The Northcliffe.  
- Finalist for City Building of the Year 2024 for The Northcliffe.  
- Winner in the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) Awards for the Ceiling Category for The Northcliffe.  
- Winner of the BALI Award for Roof Gardens for The Northcliffe.  
- Winner of a Commendation for Architecture at the AIA International 2023 Design Awards for The Northcliffe.  
- Finalist in the NLA Awards for the Retrofit Category for The Northcliffe.  

Sustainability
BREEAM • International • Outstanding • Refurbishment
2024
Efficient
Embedded Carbon
Project Credits
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrand
SuppliersIn Opera Group
Product Spec Sheet
Suppliers
MSCASB250 Lido cement based terrazzo, MSCASB200 Burano cement based terrazzo, MSCASB240 Torcello cement based terrazzo by In Opera Group
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