With new tenants set to move in, it’s the perfect time to reflect on one of UK Land Estate’s most successful refurbishments.
Following extensive redevelopment, St George’s House – which played a role in the Oscar-winning film “The King’s Speech” – is ready for a new chapter.
A £4million sympathetic renovation by UK Land Estates has brought the Team Valley centrepiece property into the 21st century, transforming the well-known curved brick façade from a run down, energy-hungry carbuncle to a stunning modern business space.
Part of a broader £32.5million four-year refurbishment program across our portfolio, St George’s House was pre-let to a major national business long before the refurb was complete, highlighting its appeal and strategic importance.
Built in 1937, the eye-catching property, with its distinctive curved façade that mirrors the Kingsway roundabout, has seen little modernization over the decades. Partition walls, dark stairwells and scruffy, narrow corridors, all added over the years, hid most of this 25,000sqft building’s original character and charm.
Our investment has transformed this two-storey showpiece into a state-of-the-art office space, while preserving its original architectural originality.
The regeneration hasn’t been without its challenges. We learned that hardly any windows are of uniform size, with each individually manufactured to ensure they fit the structure perfectly. New air vents were developed and installed to ensure they fit perfectly into apertures created for their obsolete predecessors. Plasterboard and plaster were stripped away with almost surgical precision to preserve original brickwork…it was a huge task, but the final result is a demonstration of how much it was worth the additional time and effort.
It was vital to us that the integrity of the building was retained, while creating a modern, accessible space attractive to potential tenants – workspace flexible enough to meet the requirements of a modern business.
The refurbishment goes beyond mere aesthetics. The building boasts EPC “A” rating, with rooftop photovoltaic panels, EV charging points, modern insulation, and new heating and cooling systems. Retention of the green roof underscores the commitment to sustainability, reducing its carbon footprint.
St George’s House was one of the first buildings on the Team Valley Trading Estate, established in 1936 to combat soaring unemployment. Opened by King George VI, the building’s significance was immortalized by Colin Firth’s portrayal in “The King’s Speech.”
Our region has such rich industrial heritage, but few historic industrial buildings remain. UK Land Estates has created a vibrant workspace, while holding on to all the character that makes St George’s such a special, recognisable building.
Successfully completing such a high-quality project is incredibly satisfying and I have to pay tribute to the work and perseverance of our in-house team and our fantastic project partners throughout the refurbishment.
A challenging job very well done – reflecting on this project, one particular famous quote from King George VI comes to mind: “In difficult times, always remember we can overcome any obstacle.”
