Architecture firm dMFK has commenced a comprehensive renovation of Tower 42, one of London's most recognizable skyscrapers, with the main phase focusing on a complete overhaul of the building's three-story reception atrium. Strip-out construction work is currently underway on-site, marking the beginning of an ambitious project to modernize the iconic structure while preserving its distinctive architectural character.
The renovation project has already achieved several milestones, with new end-of-trip facilities now complete in the basement level. These additions include dedicated bicycle parking for 160 bikes, modern shower facilities, and storage lockers spanning an additional 557 square meters of space. Office floor renovations are scheduled to begin as soon as current tenant leases expire, allowing for a systematic approach to the building's transformation.
Designed by renowned British architect Richard Seifert, Tower 42 was completed in 1980 and originally served as the headquarters of NatWest Bank, earning it the nickname "NatWest Tower." The building's unique design features three distinctive leaves at its peak, deliberately created to resemble the bank's corporate logo. This architectural detail has made the 600-foot tower an instantly recognizable feature of London's financial district skyline.
The building's current three-story glazed atrium was constructed in 1996 following extensive damage from the devastating 1993 IRA bombing on Bishopsgate. The terrorist attack led to a massive £75 million renovation project that included full recladding and comprehensive internal refurbishment. This extensive reconstruction work, led by GMW Architects and completed in 1998, involved replacing much of the building's original materials, which ultimately prevented Tower 42 from achieving listed building status.
The current renovation project represents a collaboration between long-time property owner Tower 42 Estate and dMFK Architects to reimagine the building's 1,858-square-meter atrium as a series of welcoming and easily navigable spaces that significantly enhance the building's amenities. The ground floor will feature a modern café, flexible meeting rooms, and a central seating area enhanced with integrated plant installations to create a more natural, inviting atmosphere.
The mezzanine level will continue to serve as the building's main reception area while offering expanded seating options and a new management office. The floor above will be transformed into what designers describe as a "serene, biophilic sanctuary" specifically designed to promote focus and wellbeing among building occupants and visitors.
Ben Knight, a director at dMFK, explained that the practice's primary objectives were "to celebrate and evolve the original tower [and] make it the best version of itself." He emphasized the importance of maintaining the building's iconic identity while dramatically improving its functionality and user experience. "We've stripped back the glass atrium, so visitors immediately know they're in Tower 42 when they enter," Knight added.
The three reception levels have been completely redesigned with multiple goals in mind: improving accessibility for all users, creating dynamic shared spaces that animate the entrance experience, and better integrating the tower with the vibrant surrounding public realm of the City of London. These changes reflect modern expectations for commercial office buildings in one of the world's leading financial districts.
The existing office space interiors, which dMFK describes as "dated" and "lacking the flexibility and amenity expected by today's occupiers," will undergo comprehensive refurbishment. This modernization effort recognizes the evolving needs of contemporary businesses and their employees, particularly in the post-pandemic era where workplace design has become increasingly important for attracting and retaining talent.
A groundbreaking energy strategy has already been implemented as part of the renovation, which dMFK claims is "the first of its kind in an occupied UK tower." This innovative approach has involved replacing outdated heating and cooling systems with modern air source heat pumps, significantly improving the building's environmental performance and reducing its carbon footprint.
Architectural modifications include opening up the tower's lift lobbies to feature large ceiling coffers designed to create a stronger sense of being at the center of the building. These spatial improvements are intended to enhance the user experience while maintaining the building's structural integrity and overall design philosophy.
The renovation project aims to preserve the fundamental architectural design of Tower 42, which is widely recognized as a prominent example of post-war Brutalist skyscraper architecture. Practice associate Isobel Eaton explained that "the material palette draws from Tower 42's distinctive fluted façade, curved, filleted floor plan and greenhouse-like glazed entrance." The design team has selected fluted tiles and poured terrazzo to echo the building's 1980s Brutalist aesthetic, while incorporating timber joinery with integrated planting to conceal building services and frame upward views of the stone-clad core.
The comprehensive makeover of Tower 42 is scheduled for completion in 2026, representing a multi-year commitment to transforming one of London's most distinctive office buildings. This project reflects broader trends in commercial real estate toward creating more flexible, sustainable, and user-friendly workspace environments that can adapt to changing business needs and employee expectations in the modern economy.
