Developer HUB is developing the project, known as Cornerstone, in partnership with sustainable and impact investor Bridges Fund Management.

Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris the project involves converting a seven-storey 1950s office at 45 Beech Street into a residential block for city workers.

The retrofit scheme, which will take two years to deliver, utilises as much of the existing building as possible. This approach is projected to achieve a 34% reduction in total embodied carbon compared to a new build of equivalent scale.

Additionally, the scheme will significantly improve the energy performance of the building, and targets industry-leading sustainability standards, including BREEAM Excellent and EPC A.

Community and neighbourhood stakeholders were actively engaged in the consultation process through a series of targeted workshops and events. This included the local business community and Barbican residents.

The wider project team for the Cornerstone includes M&E consultant Introba and structure  and civils engineer Whitby Wood.