Sustainable refurbishment of a 30,000 sq ft Grade II listed office on The Strand, London

Burleigh House, The Strand, London

Client

L&G

Size

30,000 sq ft

Services

Dilapidations, Health and safety, Measured surveys and area referencing, Project management

Sector

Offices and business space

We proudly acted as project manager for our client, L&G, delivering a comprehensive multi-service solution. Our wider services included dilapidations, health and safety oversight, measured surveys, area referencing, and completion of a reinstatement cost assessment for the refurbishment project of Burleigh House — a 30,000 sq ft Grade II listed office and retail property on The Strand in London. The project focused on enhancing the building’s office spaces while preserving and celebrating its rich historical character.

The refurbishment encompassed significant external upgrades to the facades along The Strand and Burleigh Street, showcasing the building’s distinctive Graeco-Roman and Venetian architectural styles. Inside, the entrance and reception areas were modernised to create a more welcoming and functional office space, complemented by improved facilities, a high-quality CAT B office fit-out, and the addition of a roof terrace.

Sustainability was a central focus of the project. We incorporated exposed existing construction materials, prioritised sustainable resources, and implemented strategies to minimise site waste. To support long-term goals, a Net Zero Carbon (NZC) report was prepared, outlining the asset’s pathway to achieving NZC status by 2050.

The Net Zero Report identified carbon reduction opportunities which were integrated into the refurbishment, accelerating some works by over 10 years. The following initiatives have been completed:

BMS upgrades
Installation of automatic tenant metering/submetering
LV switch panel upgrade
MVHR upgrades
Change to demand-led ventilation
Overnight base load reduction
Lighting upgrades
Adjusted temperature set points
Installation of solar film
Installation of insulation to the underside of the roof

Hollis worked closely with Montagu Evans (planning consultants) and Westminster City Council to secure planning permissions and listed building consent. Notably, there were no pre-commencement conditions, apart from the requirement for approval of facing materials.

Challenges and solutions

Working in an occupied building presented unique challenges, particularly due to the proximity of the Lyceum Theatre, which required careful coordination. We needed to relocate roof services to create a terrace, move the retail tenant’s extract system to accommodate plant works, and replace the LV switch panel—all while minimising disruption.

Regular communication with tenants, including weekly updates and targeted meetings, kept everyone informed and onboard. Early and detailed plans mitigated risks for impactful works like window repairs and system upgrades.

To avoid disturbing the Lyceum Theatre, external works were scheduled around showtimes, while out-of-hours activities were carefully timed to accommodate office and retail occupants. For the roof extract relocation, we worked closely with the retail tenant, ensuring their team’s presence to minimise downtime and avoid disruption to their operations.

Key Achievements

All major project milestones, including sensitive tasks such as plant relocation and system replacements, were completed without disruption to tenants. The External works were also successfully carried out while maintaining the Lyceum Theatre’s operational schedule.
We integrated sustainability goals into the design and construction, setting the building on its path to NZC by 2050. This project combined historic character with modern, efficient office spaces.
The refurbishment of this iconic property on The Strand demonstrates our ability to manage complex projects in sensitive, occupied environments.

Through effective communication, meticulous planning, and close collaboration with key stakeholders, we are proud to have delivered a project that fully met our client’s goals. By enhancing the building’s functionality, celebrating and preserving its rich heritage, and aligning with ambitious future sustainability targets, we demonstrated our commitment to excellence and our passion for creating spaces that inspire while respecting their history.