Start on site for Roots In The Sky has been set for January 2023 with our appointment of a stellar contractor line-up to deliver this pioneering HQ office building and London’s first rooftop forest.

Main contractor Mace will be leading the delivery of our innovative, net zero reimagining of the former Blackfriars Crown Court in Southwark – a building which will set a new benchmark for holistic sustainability and welcome 1.4 acres of urban forest to the capital in Q2 2026. Enabling works will be delivered by Erith.

The appointments are a major milestone in the delivery of this transformational scheme. The all-electric, 430,000 sq ft (280,000 sq ft net lettable area) project will be net zero carbon in both construction and operation, embeds circular economy principles including the structural reuse of reclaimed steel, and is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum and NABERS 5*.

But more than that, Roots in the Sky challenges the idea of a corporate office as a siloed entity, separate from its local community and the natural environment. 125 mature trees, 10,000 plants and over 1,000 tonnes of soil will allow nature to genuinely thrive. And the highest value part of the rooftop, with views over the City of London and the Shard, will be dedicated to community use.

This is a building that works not just for a progressive occupier but also for its local neighbourhood and wider London.