GPE acquired The Hickman with planning permission for redevelopment. The design was improved by relocating the office entrance, rotating the core to improve the efficiency of the floorplates and replacing the building’s services. It was completed in September 2020, delivering 75,280 sq ft of thoughtfully designed, cost-effective office space in Whitechapel.

GPE have created a welcoming and relaxed arrival experience, blurring the functions of a traditional office lobby with a relaxed café space, designed by Conran and Partners, and serviced with friendly concierge staff to welcome occupiers and visitors to the building.

The Hickman is a tech-enabled building, giving occupiers access to service and amenity, and control over their office environment via GPE’s smartphone app, sesame. Functionality ranges from contactless entry to the building and lifts, data that allows our occupiers to optimise their office space, control of building services, and detailed, real time energy analysis. This, together with other smart technology, is expected to increase the productivity and efficiency of the space for occupiers, enhance letting prospects and provide greater flexibly and adaptability to future occupiers’ needs.