Charterhouse
Creating A Sense Of Cohesion
Size
10,000 sq ft
Address
38 and 42 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon EC1
Timing
Completed 2024
Combining a Victorian warehouse once used by an ostrich-feather importer and a 1950s office building, Charterhouse offered a unique opportunity to bring together two very different buildings on a prime Farringdon street.
When they were acquired speculatively, both buildings were in need of significant upgrades. Both, however, were extremely well located, could house the small floor plates that were increasingly sought-after in the area, and had potential for genuine moments of architectural drama with the right internal and external refurbishments.
Working in partnership with Stiff + Trevillion Architects, HTS, Storey and Spring Planning, Sterling sought to celebrate the existing fabric of the Victorian warehouse at 42 while bringing its 1950s counterpart into a single, unified site.
Original wooden floorboards were found, intact, under the existing carpeting at no 38 and original terrazzo finishes were salvaged from the common areas from no 42. These were brought together with new windows and high-quality modern finishes. The lift was upgraded, the staircase was reinstated to its original look and feel, and bespoke entrance doors and steps gave the buildings a strong sense of cohesion.
Both buildings were let within four months of launch and have created a fully income-producing long-term investment.
Charterhouse occupies an unrivalled position opposite the TikTok head office, Farringdon Crossrail entrance and the new food market set to launch at Smithfield Market in 2028. Just around the corner is the site of the new Museum of London, with phased approaches scheduled to open towards the end of 2026-2028 – just one example of the new cultural and commercial investment transforming this historic area of London.
