The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Steve Summers, was the guest of honour at a topping-out ceremony held at 20 St. James’s St., celebrating an important milestone in the property’s transformation into a high-quality, modern office building in the heart of London’s West End.
 
WELPUT purchased 20 St. James’s St. in 2015 in line with its strategy of upgrading Central London office buildings. WELPUT, with Grafton Advisors acting as development manager, appointed contractor Structure Tone Limited to commence a comprehensive redevelopment of the property, which is anticipated to complete in May 2018. The upgraded building will deliver over 53K SF of prime office accommodation to the undersupplied West End market.
 
The programme of works, which commenced in January 2016, includes a wholesale structural refurbishment of the building, removing the original core and common parts to create uncompromised floor plates of up to 6,500 SF throughout. The property’s classical façade is also restored, incorporating new double height street-level glazing with a sleek reception space.
 
Summers said it was important to continue to cater to demand from domestic and international businesses, and modern, prime projects such as 20 St. James’s St. send a very clear message that London is open for business.