Rights Managed > Historic England > Industry > Engineering and Construction > Building Offices > Building Finsbury Avenue
Finsbury Avenue JLP01_09_841599
Filename: jlp01_09_841599.jpg
Size: 6672 x 5289 (5.9MB)
Date: 11th February 2022
Source: Historic England
Credit: A© Historic England Archive. Joh
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: Historic England Archive
Owner URL: https://images.historicenglandservices.org.uk/
© Historic England Archive
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Finsbury Avenue JLP01_09_841599
Finsbury Avenue, Broadgate, City of London. The newly completed office building at 1 Finsbury Avenue with a paved and landscaped concourse in front.
The Finsbury Avenue complex was a three phase speculative office development by Rosehaugh Greycoat Estates in anticipation of the deregulation of the financial markets in 1986. It aimed to entice potential tenants in the financial services industry to a fringe area on the edge of the City through high quality design and construction. Designed by Peter Foggo of Arup Associates, Laing secured the management contract for the construction of each phase in turn.
Work on phase one, 1 Finsbury Avenue began in December 1982 and was completed by September 1984 followed by phase two, 3 Finsbury Avenue, from October 1985 to December 1986 with work beginning on phase three, 2 Finsbury Avenue in January 1987 and complete by April 1988.
The design for each of the three buildings followed a " shell and core" approach incorporating flexibility in the internal construction and allowing simple reconfiguration of space according to tenants needs. Laing undertook several contracts to refit office space in each of the buildings in subsequent years.
1 Finsbury Avenue is constructed around a central atrium with an octagonal glazed lantern roof providing daylight to the office space on all floors and in contrast to expectations from the dark bronze anodised aluminium and tinted windows of the exterior. The roof terraces stepped design and the brises soleil with diagonal bracing breaks up the silhouette and facade of the building and mitigate the impact of its size. The building became almost a blueprint for future developments of this kind. It won a RIBA design award in 1987 and was listed grade II in 2015.
This photograph was used in the November 1984 edition of Team Spirit, the Laing company newsletter
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24350517
© Historic England Archive
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the newly completed office building at 1 Finsbury Avenue in Broadgate, City of London. The Finsbury Avenue complex was a visionary three-phase speculative office development by Rosehaugh Greycoat Estates, anticipating the deregulation of financial markets in 1986. Designed by Peter Foggo of Arup Associates, each phase was managed and constructed by Laing. The design concept for these buildings followed a "shell and core" approach, allowing for flexibility in internal construction to accommodate tenants' needs. The central atrium of 1 Finsbury Avenue is particularly striking, with an octagonal glazed lantern roof flooding all floors with natural light. Contrasting with its dark bronze anodized aluminum exterior and tinted windows, the stepped design of the roof terraces and diagonal bracing on the brises soleil break up the building's silhouette and facade. Recognizing its exceptional design, 1 Finsbury Avenue received numerous accolades including a RIBA design award in 1987. In recognition of its architectural significance, it was listed as grade II in 2015. This particular photograph from November 1984 appeared in Team Spirit, the Laing company newsletter (not associated with commercial use). It captures not only the impressive architecture but also represents a pivotal moment when this innovative development aimed to entice potential tenants from the financial services industry to this fringe area on the edge of London's bustling City district through high-quality design and construction.
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