The Daily Express Building, London EC4 – Grade II* listed

Client: Taylor Woodrow Capital Developments / The Itochu Corporation / Kajima

JRA repositioned The Daily Express Building on Fleet Street in the City of London for Kajima, Taylor Woodrow Capital Developments, and The Itochu Corporation. The iconic Art Deco building was originally designed in 1929 by Owen Williams, Lord Beaverbrook and Eric Aumonier as the headquarters of Beaverbrook’s Daily Express newspaper. In recognition of its design and heritage, it was listed grade II*.

To bring the building back up to modern standards whilst preserving its distinctive appearance, JRA re-clad the façade in materials mirroring the original black vitrolite, with hollow aluminium sections post-tensioned with steel rods, providing strength and insulation at the same time as appearing lightweight and elegant. Internally, the team used old photographs as references for the restoration. In particular, in the entrance hall JRA recreated the ocean floor in terrazzo and the lost serpent handrails, as well as restoring the original Aumonier relief sculptures and sunburst ceiling.

The building won the Royal Fine Arts Commission Trust Building of the Year Award and The City Heritage Award, following JRA’s refurbishment.