Case study, Shoreditch EC2A

Great Eastern Street

Location: Shoreditch EC2A
Sector: Office Commercial
Contract value: 610k
Floor area: 3500 sq ft
Programme: 22 weeks
Completed: Dec 2020

The brief

Bringing a Victorian Landmark Back to Life.

Originally constructed in 1877 by J.W. Brooker as a showroom warehouse for ironmongers Edward Wells & Co., 40 Great Eastern Street is a distinctive Victorian building showcasing Gothic, Italianate and Venetian architectural influences. Our refurbishment has carefully modernised the property while preserving its historic character, creating high-quality commercial space that respects the building's rich industrial heritage.

Scope of works

What we delivered

Roof repairs and fixing
Complex refurbishment throughout
Electrical upgrade
Bespoke joinery items

The challenges

Turning a Design Challenge into a Success

During the fit-out at Great Sutton Street, one of the key challenges involved the bathroom floor finish. The floor tiles were supplied and installed in accordance with the approved finishes schedule and the client's specification. However, despite being a premium-quality and high-value product, the installed tiles appeared dull and lacked the rich finish the client had expected, resulting in an overall appearance that did not reflect the quality of the space. Rather than replacing the flooring, our team explored alternative solutions to enhance the existing finish. We proposed the application of a specialist black tile impregnating sealer, designed to enrich the natural colour and improve the overall appearance of the tiles without altering their texture or performance. The treatment successfully restored depth and vibrancy to the finish, achieving the premium aesthetic the client had envisioned.

By identifying a practical and cost-effective solution, we were able to avoid unnecessary material waste, meet the client's expectations and secure final project sign-off, demonstrating our commitment to quality, problem-solving and delivering the best possible outcome.

The outcome

A Heritage Building Ready for the Next Century

The refurbishment of 40 Great Eastern Street has successfully transformed a historic Victorian warehouse into a modern, efficient commercial workspace while preserving the character and architectural features that define the building. Through the careful integration of new building services, upgraded infrastructure and high-quality finishes, the project has enhanced the building's performance, functionality and longevity without compromising its heritage. The result is a sustainable, future-ready workplace that meets the expectations of today's occupiers while respecting the rich history of one of Shoreditch's most distinctive commercial buildings.

Site manager: piotr tarasek. Project director: izabela tarasek. Health and Safety: Izabela Tarasek.

On record