London and Liverpool based practice shedkm architects has completed One Ruskin Square in Croydon, a Grade A commercial building designed for Schroder UK Real Estate Fund and its partner Stanhope Plc.

The completed development comprises 183,000 sq ft of high quality office space over nine floors, with floor plates ranging from 15,200 sq ft to 20,940 sq ft. The building also includes a 3,570 sq ft café and reception space, alongside three retail units totalling c.8,000 sq ft.

shedkm’s deliberately bold exoskeletal design responds to the industrial heritage and urban aesthetic of Croydon and also maximizes commercial floor space. An exposed steel frame supports the nine storey building, providing a recognisable scheme in what will be a landmark destination and major transport interchange between London Victoria, Gatwick Airport and Brighton.

As a critical frontage to the new podium station approach, the south elevation includes a south facing terrace ‘cut out’ from the main commercial block which animates this edge of the development. The building also features a green roof, contributing to a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Inside the building, the industrial aesthetic continues with the use of exposed concrete, visible soffits and expressed services. Full height windows allow an abundance of light into the space and as a result of the external steel frame, internal floor plate size is maximized on every floor.

HM Revenue and Customs (‘HMRC’) are to take the entire 180,000 sq ft at One Ruskin Square on a 25-year lease. The building is the first of five prime office developments planned at Ruskin Square, which will provide 1.25 million sq ft of new office space in total – creating a high quality business hub for South London. HMRC will now commence with internal fit out works at One Ruskin Square, before staff move into the building in early 2017.

Ruskin Square itself covers a nine-acre site and is located immediately adjacent to East Croydon station and moments from Croydon’s central business district, where Hammerson and Westfield will be delivering their £1.4bn retail-led regeneration over the coming years. The scheme has its own footbridge directly accessing the station’s platforms providing travel into Central London and Gatwick Airport in 15 minutes.

Earlier this year BOXPARK launched its new shipping container hub as an incubator for new dining operators as a ‘meanwhile use’ on the Ruskin Square site. The scheme’s first residential building also completed in August of this year, delivering the first 161 new homes of a planned 625 at Ruskin Square.

Hazel Rounding, Director of shedkm said: “Our work embodies simple yet bold ideas that give our buildings a unique and strong identity.

“The Ruskin Square design responds both to context and occupant needs, providing an alternative commercial offer in the area through exposing the services and structure.”

Project Director at shedkm, Alex Flint said: “The exoskeletal design has maximised the internal office floor space, improving its commercial value, whilst also creating a dynamic landmark building for Croydon.”

James Lass, Fund Manager, SREF, commented: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone. One Ruskin Square now sets a new benchmark for attractive, high quality commercial space and a focal point for the re-emergence of Croydon as a thriving London hub. The landmark deal agreed with HMRC in August is testament to the quality of the new quarter we are creating here and we now look forward to welcoming the first employees in early 2017.”

Jason Margrave, Development Director, Stanhope, said: “The completion of One Ruskin Square is a significant moment in the delivery of Ruskin Square, a thriving new commercial, residential and retail community in the centre of Croydon. The decision by HMRC to locate one of its new office hubs here is a further mark of confidence in both the scheme and the continuing regeneration of Croydon”.

– ENDS –  

Notes to editors

Architects: shedkm

QS: Aecom

Contractor: Lendlease

Client: Stanhope Plc and Schroders

Interiors: shedkm

Structural engineer: Arup

M&E engineer: Arup

Fire engineer: Arup

Landscape architect: Muf Architecture

For more press information on shedkm architects, please contact:

Jodi Smith or Bobby Jewell at Caro Communications

T: +44 (0) 20 7713 9388

E:jodi@carocommunications.com /bobby@carocommunications.com

shedkm is an innovative architectural practice working from London and Liverpool. The practice is responsible for nationally recognised, award winning buildings across all sectors. From highly bespoke private houses to complex, multi-million pound regeneration projects, they produce critically acclaimed, high-quality architecture often from limited budgets and with difficult constraints.

The studio is adept at the re-use of old buildings, having turned dilapidated Victorian terraces into sleek, spacious homes and redundant factories into iconic work-space and retail destinations. They are also pioneers of innovative construction techniques such as pre-fabrication.

Every project is underpinned by a clarity of thought and consistency of approach. The work embodies simple yet bold ideas that give buildings a unique and strong identity.

http://www.shedkm.co.uk

 Schroder Real Estate

Schroders has managed real estate funds since 1971 and currently has £11.8 billion* (€13.7 billion/ US$15.4 billion) of gross real estate assets under management as at 30 September 2016.

Most of the real estate funds referred to are unauthorised collective investment schemes as defined in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Promotion of these funds is restricted and access to full information about these funds is only available to those exempt from the restriction.

For further information about Schroders’ real estate business visit www.schroders.com/realestate

*Real Estate AUM includes holdings of Schroder Real Estate Capital Partners and Schroders Multi-asset Funds.

Schroders plc

Schroders is a global asset management company with £375.0 billion (€433.5 billion/US$487.1 billion) assets under management as at 30 September 2016.  Our clients are major financial institutions including pension funds, banks and insurance companies, local and public authorities, governments, charities, high net worth individuals and retail investors.

With one of the largest networks of offices of any dedicated asset management company, we operate from 37 offices in 27 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Middle East and Africa.  Schroders has developed under stable ownership for over 200 years and long-term thinking governs our approach to investing, building client relationships and growing our business.

Further information about Schroders can be found at www.schroders.com.

Issued by Schroder Investment Management Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.  For regular updates by e-mail please register online at www.schroders.com for our alerting service.

Image Credit: Ruskin Square by shedkm © Jack Hobhouse