"Once every decade or so a building comes along that alters the common
  understanding of what is commercially possible. Kings Place has not just
  moved the goalposts – it rewrote the book on how commercial property
  can integrate with the life of a city."

In a rare year of judging when half a dozen projects emerged with the potential to win plaudits as the best office building in Britain, Kings Place stood out amongst the rest.

In a time when planners are forcing commercial developers into mixed-use developments to revive the 24-hour life of city centres, which is often grudgingly conceded, Kings Place throws its arms wide open and invites the world into galleries, concert halls and meeting spaces.

This building could have won the BCO award even as a pure office block because of its exquiste design and clever construction. As mixed-use space this building is open-hearted, immersed in culture and life giving. The public uses are not superficial but integral to the structure and it is inextricably linked to the community. 

The project was all done with no public subsidy. The scheme has a sound commercial heart and has transformed a previously derelict site into a 21st century headquarters built, to BCO standards, for the Guardian News and Media Group and Network Rail.

A short presentation of the project and tours of King’s Place will take place directly after the BCO AGM. Tours will be led by representatives from the project team including Dixon Jones (architect), Gardiner & Theobald (project management & QS), Arup (structural & M&E engineer) and Sir Robert McAlpine (contractor).

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO BCO MEMBERS ONLY – BOOK ONLINE NOW
BCO members may nominate a representative to attend on their behalf. Please download the proxy form below and return it to the BCO no later than Wednesday 7 July. Non members will not be allowed access to this event unless they are a registered proxy.

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