December 1, 2025HENDERSON PARK AND GENERAL PROJECTS COMPLETE SUSTAINABLE REDEVELOPMENT OF FORMER WOOLWORTHS HQ
• Retrofit of 1950s landmark sets a new benchmark for sustainable reuse and wellbeing
• Completed building is designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, AirRated Platinum and EPC A certifications – placing it among the top commercial buildings in the UK for operational performance
• Now known as Metropolis, redevelopment features a seven-storey hybrid timber extension with landscaped terraces and attractive amenity offering
London, 1 December 2025: Henderson Park, the international private equity real estate firm, and creative real estate developer, General Projects, have completed the comprehensive restoration of 242 Marylebone Road, the former Woolworths headquarters in central London.
Now known as Metropolis, the project has transformed the mid-century landmark into a 175,000 sq ft, net-zero carbon commercial hub that exemplifies best practice in adaptive reuse and wellbeing-led workplace development and brings the existing structure in line with the needs of contemporary office occupiers.
Originally commissioned by Woolworths in 1955 and designed by renowned architect Richard Seifert & Partners, the nine-storey building has been refurbished and extended to not only meet modern standards but enhance them.
A dramatic seven-storey stepped extension designed by architect Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) and constructed with cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been added to the rear of the original building, increasing its internal floor area by 40%.
Workspaces have been designed to maximise both wellbeing and productivity, with floorplates of up to 25,000 sq ft providing a high level of flexibility. Smart technology has been introduced across the building to help optimise and improve indoor air quality, along with interior design choices that promote biophilia throughout the building.
Metropolis is one of the few refurbished buildings designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, marking its status as an exemplar in the field of sustainable redevelopment. The retention of the existing structure has saved over 4,500 tonnes of embodied carbon. Metropolis will be operationally net-zero carbon and will exclusively use 100% REGO certified renewable energy, aligning with Henderson Park and General Projects’ strategic focus on sustainability.
With over 20,000 sq ft of best-in-class amenity space, including external landscaped terraces with views across London on most floors, tenants will also enjoy access to a gym, multi-function event space and high-end active travel facilities, as well as a striking terrazzo reception with a publicly accessible café open on the ground floor.
Located next to Marylebone Station and within a short walk of both Baker Street and Edgware Road Tube stations, the building benefits from excellent public transport accessibility. The redevelopment has also enhanced the surrounding public realm with new landscaping, seating and cycle infrastructure improvements.
Christophe Kuhbier, Head of Investments, Europe, at Henderson Park, commented: “This is an important milestone in the transformation of an iconic London office asset and exemplar piece of architecture, which has been updated and extended to create a best-in-class modern workspace. This builds on our strong track record of converting existing assets into highly sustainable offices, which includes Los Cubos in Madrid and Athene Place in London.”
Jacob Loftus, Chief Executive of General Projects, said: “Metropolis is a building we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a bold reimagining of a mid-century icon that had lost its purpose. Rather than demolish and start over, we saw the potential to breathe new life into a piece of London’s architectural heritage in a way that was both environmentally responsible and deeply relevant to how people want to work now and into the future. Our goal was never just to modernise the building, but to completely rethink what a workplace can be: experience-led, sustainability-first, and designed with wellbeing at its core. The result is a place that feels good to be in – with sensitive, architecturally striking features, impressive sustainability credentials and a strong connection to the surrounding neighbourhood.”
