A peek into some of London’s most eco-friendly offices

Environmental considerations in the workplace have been pushed to the forefront of our minds. From companies in small offices splitting their recycling, to larger corporations building entire eco-pleasing structures, it’s agreed that every little helps.

Eco-friendly offices are the embodiment of this greener approach and form an important part of many business CSR strategies. Sustainable practices can also have a positive effect on employees’ mindsets, health and productivity.

It’s gratifying to see that the flexible workspace industry has been quick to recognise these facts and has responded to the demand for more sustainable workspaces.

Going green - London’s leading eco-friendly offices

Let’s look at a selection of seven fully featured flexible eco-friendly offices in London that have put sustainability front and centre.

Merchant Square, Paddington W2

A fine example of the result of concentrated eco efforts, this flexible office operated by BE Offices, is supported by an in-house project team, The Green Group. The Group monitors the company’s green and energy KPIs and reports monthly on eco performance across all of their 20 UK locations.

The office supports a number of green policies including:

Zero landfill policy: First achieved through BE’s waste partners BPR in 2015 with non-recyclable waste-producing electricity that is then sold back to the national grid.

Energy from renewable sources: Only suppliers that generate electricity from only renewable sources are used.

Motion sensor lighting: Reducing electricity use when office space is not being used.

LED lighting: Near completion, a multi-million-pound programme to install LED lights throughout all BE offices.

Single-use plastics: Removal of single use plastics e.g. from water cups and catering services.

If you’d like the opportunity to work in this eco-friendly office, a fully serviced flexible office space at Merchant Square is available to rent from £649 pp/m

One Heddon Street, Mayfair W1B

The Crown Estate, whose One Heddon St offices, was their first move into the flexible office sector, have made sustainability a key factor within their fit outs. They have committed to nurturing and growing their business by taking a longer-term view of their contribution and ensuring they are making a positive impact on the environment. All fit-out partners who work with The Crown Estates must meet and follow strict guidelines on sustainability, relating to procurement, water, waste, lighting, and materials.

An eco-friendly flexible workspace in this exclusive Mayfair office with private roof terrace, is available from £1100 pp/m.

Brock House, Langham Street, Fitzrovia W1W

Brock House, just off Oxford Street, is operated by one of the UK’s leading flexible workspace providers, The Office Group (TOG). Having opened earlier in 2021, Brock House has been designed with a sustainability ethos of breathing life into existing structures. As many as possible of the buildings original features have been restored – including the original arched windows that give a sense of space and reference the original architecture of the building.

Brock House runs on 100% renewable energy to generate the building’s own electricity and water. It features PV and solar panels on the roof and has insulated windows throughout.

Flexible serviced offices in Brock House are available from just £1,000 pp/m

Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow E17

If you’re a company that’s looking for an affordable inspiring eco-friendly workspace, then Creative Works is the place. The innovative workspace has been fully refurbished to include sustainable materials made by local craftsmen; 50% of their furniture is made from reclaimed wood, and 62% derives from recycled materials.

Creative Works offer a range of flexible workspace options including drop-in day passes, hot desks, dedicated desks, flexible bays and fully serviced private offices – available from only £350 pp/m.

Second Home, Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, E1

Located in Spitalfields East London, Second Home has social purpose at its core. The building uses 100% green energy and minimises its carbon footprint by reusing old materials wherever possible, rather than building from scratch. Environmentally friendly materials and sustainable technologies are also used throughout, helping occupiers keep their environmental impact to a minimum.

“We’re doing everything we can to make a positive difference. Which is why we’re proud to be a B Corp.” said Second Home.

Second Home are great believers in the science that proves how much nature enhances our lives. It’s why their eco-friendly offices are packed with greenery. And they actively find ways to reduce their overall footprint.

The company asserts that the beauty of nature is undeniable. But being around it also has tremendous benefits to our psychological well-being. That’s why they embrace biophilia and biophilic design.

If you like what you see, you can experience this wonderful fully serviced flexible workspace in Spitalfields from just £565 pp/m.

White Collar Factory, Old Street Yard, EC1Y

White Collar Factory, overlooking London’s silicone roundabout, is one of the most eco-friendly offices in London. The building’s owners, Derwent, claim the sustainability measures that reduce their carbon footprint equates to 5,600 journeys of the entire London Underground or flying a Boeing 747 from London to New York 162 times.

The recipient of many eco awards, White Collar Factory has been awarded “Excellent” BREEAM Certification, (the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for buildings) and has been accredited with “best practice” status, putting it in the top 10% of buildings.

A fully serviced flexible office in White Collar Factory is available from £675 pp/m.

Hatfields, Southwark, SE1

15 Hatfields is another great example of London’s most sustainable eco-friendly buildings. Situated in an enviable position near London’s South Bank, the building is a five-minute walk from Southwark Underground and Waterloo Stations. Electricity is certified to be from 100% renewable sources and solar panels on the roof provide more than 90% of the hot water required for the building. It’s a great choice for businesses wanting to establish their green credentials in 2022.

Growing demand for eco-friendly offices

As real estate makes drastic changes in the 2020s, it is an exciting opportunity for companies to re-evaluate sustainability practices and update them for the workplaces of the future.

With sustainability higher on the agenda than ever, as shown in our office sustainability report, it’s time to consider a more sustainable workspace for your business. Get in touch with our team to find your next eco-friendly office.