Designed by Woods Bagot, the transformation will centre around a parlour-style lobby, with upgrades to the building’s foyer, main entry, conference spaces, and amenities.

London House at 216 St George Terrace was originally built in 1985, featuring a unique redbrick façade in the city’s West End. According to project leader Angela Kuroiwa, the refurbishment reimagines an existing landmark, retaining heritage details while breathing life into the building’s communal spaces.

“Woods Bagot adopted a bold design approach for the refurbishment of the London House Lobby that both preserves and modernises the building’s original architecture,” says Kuroiwa. “The design pays homage to the space’s historic character while introducing a refined, contemporary aesthetic that elevates the user experience.”

As the name suggests, the design will combine old-world nostalgia with contemporary workplace design philosophy, blending elegance and elevated charm of the British tradition with an experience-led approach to spatial organisation.

The palette includes rich textures of timber, stone and metal blended with accents of colour, delivering a tactile, warm environment that is both refined and relaxed. Taking inspiration from boutique hotels over corporate tower lobbies, the design incorporates a strong hospitality overlay, with human-centred touches intended make tenants feel at home.  

“Key features—such as the jarrah timber floors and elegant ceiling and wall mouldings—are retained and thoughtfully enhanced, while mixing classic and eclectic furniture pieces, fabrics and rugs to accentuate the building’s quintessential British charm,” continues Kuroiwa. “The new design prioritises user comfort and modern touches, resulting in a welcoming and more accessible environment.”

The redesign celebrates character while integrating modern, functional spaces for contemporary working styles, incorporating culture-infused experiences like an art gallery (which will feature a revolving program of works) and a vinyl record library.

“Striking a balance between preservation and transformation, the resulting space will feel grounded in history while reimagined with a renewed sense of purpose,” says Kuroiwa. “This harmonious blend of heritage preservation and contemporary innovation creates a lobby that honours its storied past while offering an elevated, inviting experience tailored to the needs of today’s occupants.”

The refurbishment will also include upgrades to London House’s conference facilities, boardroom, and St Georges Terrace entry, leveraging the building’s existing assets, including its central location, amenity, history and place proposition.  

Construction will commence this October.

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Isla Sutherland
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