Last week, members of The London Society were given exclusive access to TBC.London, led by Basil Demeroutis of FORE Partnership.
As an independent civic society, we believe the built environment is not abstract. It shapes health, opportunity, culture, mobility and belonging. This visit demonstrated how those connections play out in real space, not on paper.
Valuing London’s past. Shaping its future.
TBC.London is a powerful example of reuse and low carbon city making. More than 70% of the existing structure has been retained, delivering substantial embodied carbon savings. Basil guided members through unoccupied office floors to see reclaimed steel beams from the former House of Fraser and innovative underfloor ventilation systems. An urban mining programme salvaged 40 tonnes of steel, proving that sustainability can be practical and measurable.
Designed by Stiff + Trevillion, the building combines a refined façade with reconfigured floorplates that maximise light and flexibility. Upper levels include a clubroom opening onto a landscaped terrace with panoramic views of Tower Bridge and the Thames, reinforcing the importance of wellbeing and connection in workplace design.
In the basement, secure cycle storage, lockers and showers support sustainable transport and active travel. At ground level, restaurants and a public facing food hall ensure the building contributes to street life and neighbourhood vitality, not just private workspace.
All electric systems, enhanced biodiversity and technologies such as Airlite paint, BioMason tiles and Aerobarrier demonstrate how innovation can support energy efficiency and air quality. With 65% of the space already pre-let, demand is strong for workplaces that combine environmental responsibility with high quality design.
For our members, the value was not just in seeing the building, but in hearing directly about the decisions and responsibilities behind it. We help Londoners understand how the city works and create respectful spaces where different perspectives can be heard and tested.
If you love London and want to explore the places shaping its future, join us. Membership gives you access to visits, debates and conversations that make the city clearer and open to participation.
Valuing London’s past. Shaping its future.
