The Rowe is a high-quality, sustainable office space in Aldgate and uses public art inspired by the local area.
BAM built The Rowe, in bustling Whitechapel, London, has launched, providing 162,000 sq. ft. of office space.
The building is a landmark site for integrated real estate developer, manager and investor, Frasers Property UK, as the company’s first urban office development.
The scheme, which is less than a mile from Bank, Monument and Liverpool Street, also provides over 17,000 sq. ft. of outdoor terraces. A redevelopment of the old London Metropolitan University’s (LMU) School of Art, Architecture, and Design, The Rowe has added six floors to the existing building, with the extension reflecting the design of the original building while marrying it with a modern eye-catching glass, steel, and concrete extension.
Designed by RIBA Stirling Prize-winning architectural practice, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), The Rowe’s former educational interior has been transformed into a modern open-plan workspace. Climate conscious principles underpin every aspect of the scheme from plan to build. The Rowe will run on 100% renewable electricity and will provide a 26% carbon emission reduction compared to a standard office building.
Inspired by the original brutalist design, the 1960s concrete façade has been retained – reducing the carbon emissions for the construction process and uniting the old and the new. Furthermore, the project will achieve a WELL ‘Platinum’ certification, BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, and SmartScore ‘Platinum’, as well as a WiredScore ‘Platinum’ for its exceptional connectivity. This is significant and differentiating for the UK market, where there is a shortage of energy-efficient prime office space.
One of the defining aspects of Whitechapel is its diversity and rich cultural history. To respect the area’s past and present, Frasers Property UK worked with art curator, Zoë Allen, on two site-specific public art commissions at The Rowe. One of these is a wrap-around artwork on the terrace of the sixth floor – the top floor of the former building – by Yinka Ilori MBE that has been designed to reflect the long and varied textile traditions of the local community and can be seen from ground level. The other installation, named ‘Loop’, in The Rowe’s reception by Paul Cocksedge Studio uses rhythmic forms in the building’s vertical space to create architectural forms.
Yinka is also an alumnus of the former LMU school, strengthening the relationship of The Rowe with the building’s former use.
Constructed by BAM, The Rowe will also welcome a public café, retail space for occupiers and their guests, adaptable amenities, and a landscaped rooftop terrace.
“This scheme has been a triumph for us, showcasing how early partnerships can deliver the best outcomes for clients and contractors,” said Gavin Pantlin, BAM Construction Director.
“We have created a building that fits perfectly in the modern workplace while giving a nod to the site’s heritage with thoughtful use of colour and art. The technical complexities of The Rowe should not be overlooked either, as this is a very smart building.
“BAM is delighted that we’ve helped Frasers Property UK realise its first major incursion into the British urban office market. That makes it a fantastic experience for us all.”
