7 Amazing Art Deco Offices in London
London is home to a wide range of amazing architecture.
Taking a stroll through the capital will take you past some stunning buildings, including modern and futuristic structures, and more traditional, historic ones.
In some older buildings, the design is a reminder of the time it was built and the styles that were popular at the time.
One popular design of the early to mid-1900s was Art Deco, and there are many buildings in London that still showcase the shapes and patterns familiar with this.
Art Deco emerged during the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s, and still has many fans today.
Here at One One One, we are passionate about working and living in London, and that’s why we’ve compiled this list of seven stunning Art Deco buildings you can enjoy (and work in) today.
Let’s take a look.
What is Art Deco Design?
When Art Deco burst onto the scene, it was a mixture of many different styles and influences.
With motifs and decorations that would fit in perfectly in Ancient Greece and Egypt, as well as many geometric and structural features bought over from America, this was an eye-catching new design that was instantly popular.
There are several aspects to Art Deco design, including:
- Strong Colours – You can expect to see colours that are bold, brash and really stand out against the London skyline.
- Lavish Materials – Art Deco focused heavily on luxury, and ensuring the best materials were used to give a lavish touch to a building inside and out.
- Symmetrical Patterns – Geometric lines and designs often make up a lot of Art Deco design. Always symmetrical and streamline, it’s a real stand-out feature of this niche.
From posters on the London underground, to the buildings listed in this guide, Art Deco was loved in London and beyond (becoming very popular in many coastal towns as well).
In the 21st century, Art Deco is seen to be going through a bit of a revival, with many designers leaning on this stylish and extravagant style to add a touch of life to a building.
Now, regular readers of our blog may be thinking ‘why are they talking about Art Deco buildings, and not offices?’
Well, amazingly, every building listed below has office space inside. So, these stunning structures could be your next workspace.
London has many amazing offices, in many different styles, and without further ado, here are our favourite Art Deco ones.
7 London Art Deco Offices
Before you have a read about these great buildings, why not watch our video to take a closer look?
Battersea Power Station
One of the most famous buildings in London is the Battersea Power Station.
This huge structure sits on the bank of the river Thames and has an amazing Art Deco design.
Whilst not showcasing some of the patterns and colours that Art Deco is famous for, the geometric forms of the chimney stacks, plus the intricate brickwork design that adorns the exterior make this unmistakably part of this design group.
From the front it looks like a building that has been transported straight from the early 1900s, with its two symmetrical pillars standing forward and the four gleaming white chimneys pointing to the sky.
It is a grand and extravagant building, and since a recent redevelopment to the interior, segments of it can now be leased out as office space.
There is already a long list of established names with office space inside the Power Station, including global brands such as Apple and Zara, which just show how desirable this work location is.
If you fancy working here, there is 5,678 sq. ft. available in a ground floor unit. The office space is offered in a fitted-out plug-and-play condition comprising 45 desks, 5 dedicated meeting rooms, a kitchenette and also dedicated shower and locker facilities. The unit is accessed by a self-contained entrance and has good branding opportunities. It is available for immediate occupation.
Shell Mex House
The Shell Mex House was designed and completed in 1931, which puts it right in the middle of the Art Deco emergence.
The influence is clear to see, with geometric patterns such as zigzags and chevrons covering the front.
Some stunning decorative elements are also found on the exterior, and the luxury materials often associated with Art Deco buildings are clear to see, with stone and bronze used throughout.
A key feature of this building is the huge clock that stands tall right in the centre of the building. This has become famous as a key London landmark and is actually the biggest clock face in London, beating Big Ben by a few centimetres.
As you first step into the building, the amazing atrium is sure to take your breath away, and the offices that branch off it are just as lavish, making this an ideal spot to work if you want to be in the heart of the city and working in somewhere truly special.
Formerly the official headquarters of the RAF, this building is now home to several different companies who have found a home in some of the stunning office space that runs throughout.
If you want to move in, there are several office floors available in the building. The ground can be taken as a whole 20,000 sq. ft. or as a half floor. The 1st floor of 38,977 sq. ft. can be split in half or into three quarters. The part 3rd floor is 15,784 and the 4th floor is 8,148 sq. ft. You’d be spoilt with the 3m floor-to-ceiling height, natural light and river views.
Palladium House
Another building that was constructed in the heart of the Art Deco movement in London is Palladium House.
This building took influence from the American Radiator Building, and the similarities are clear to see, with a black granite face decorated with a Golden cornice that is always an aesthetic delight.
This decoration is known as champleve, and the final result is stunning, adding an eye-catching splash of colour to the otherwise dark exterior.
When the American Radiator Company became the National Radiator Company, and needed a home in London, an architect named Raymond Hood designed this scaled-down version. We’re very lucky he did, as its position right opposite Liberty’s is a great spot for exciting architecture in London.
There is office space available inside the building. The 1st floor is 4,115 sq. ft. and the part 5th is 1,664 sq. ft. The floors have been refurbished to provide bright contemporary office space.
With a central West End location and such an exciting design, this is a great place to work, and a recently refurbished first floor adds a touch of modernity to what otherwise is a structural journey right back to the 1920s.
The Daily Telegraph Building
No prizes for guessing whom this building was first constructed for.
The former home of the Daily Telegraph was opened in 1928 and features a row of six unmissable columns that stand in front of eight stories of window panels.
The Art Deco elements are clear to see, with luxurious Portland Stone being used to build a large quantity of the exterior (the same as is used on the Shell Mex House).
Classic hallmarks of the Art Deco movement are heavily featured, including geometric and symmetrical shapes, decorative patterns, and an emphasis on vertical lines.
Take a glimpse inside and the interior is just as lavish, with the Art Deco trademark atrium and foyer.
The building is actually owned by the Qatari Royal Family, who plan to spend millions to redevelop it.
With some office space already inside, the future is certainly exciting for people looking to work in this historic and eye-catching building.
Carreras Cigarette Factory
Another iconic Art Deco building situated in the heart of London is the Carreras Cigarette Factory (also known as Greater London House).
While some buildings on this list have contained predominantly structural Art Deco features, this one is all about the design.
There is an emphasis on the geometric, vertical lines, but if you’re looking for something that showcases what Art Deco is all about, this is a good contender.
From the two cats that marshal the front entrance like a pair of bouncers, to the abstract plant-like designs on each column, it’s always a joy to take in the decorative elements of this building.
Across the top of the building runs a splash of colour, with red and blue vertical stripes painted against the white exterior.
It’s an exciting building, with more to see every time you are fortunate enough to take a look at it.
Originally built to serve as a production centre for Carerras Tobacco Company, the building has now been repurposed and houses a wide range of different spaces.
A large quantity of this is office space, and with an interior that is just as well-designed as the exterior, you’re sure to enjoy working here.
The 4th, 5th and 6th floors are available, measuring 16,774 sq. ft., 19, 019 sq. ft. and 18,431 sq. ft. respectively. The 4th and 5th floors have an interconnecting staircase and large terrace. You’ll have Asos, British Heart Foundation and Revlon as your neighbours.
Daily Express Building
We head over to another building designed and constructed to house offices for a newspaper; the Daily Express Building.
This one is a bit different to the others on the list, as it veers away from the stone exterior, and instead focuses much more on a modern glass façade.
The combination of black and clear glass gives a stunning effect, and it adds an interesting take to the Art Deco movement that was very popular at the time of its opening in 1932.
The interior is incredibly luxurious, with a famous lobby that is packed full of lavish features made from silver and gilt.
A key feature here, and a big component of Art Deco design, is the ziggurat roof. This is when the roof rises in tiers, much like a wedding cake, which always adds a striking visual effect.
There is office space available inside the building, and although it has been repurposed, the extravagant design choices that made it such an iconic landmark in the 1930s still remain.
Such a stunning space requires a lucrative brand to occupy it, and Goldman Sachs is the lucky company that gets to call this home.
Ibex House
Our final Art Deco building on the list is Ibex House.
This is another building that was opened in the 1920s, and interestingly it has more of a focus on horizontal lines, which slightly breaks away from the Art Deco norm of vertical features.
This doesn’t mean it is not Art Deco though, as the symmetry and geometric patterns that cover the exterior certainly add it to this category.
The colours provide a real standout feature, with a light brown cladding contrasting powerfully with the black steel of the structure and the clear glass windows that wrap around the building.
The building exterior remains unchanged since its construction, and its Grade II listed certification will help it stay that way.
Ibex House was designed to be a stylish, streamlined, office space, and despite nearly a century passing since it opened its doors, it still maintains all of these characteristics.
These are readily available for businesses looking to locate themselves in an iconic and stylish building, and the interior is just as sleek as the exterior so you’re sure to love working from this Art Deco masterpiece every day.
London Office Space from One One One
There are many reasons we love taking a wander around London and taking in some of the great Art Deco buildings, that have survived since the heyday of this design trend in the 1920s and 30s, is certainly high on our list.
And the best thing, every building on this list has the one thing we love the most… Stunning office space.
If you want to work in a London office that’s perfect for you, then we are the team to help find it.
We have extensive experience of locating the ideal office space for businesses of all sizes throughout London, so why not get in touch today and start your search.
Alternatively, let us know exactly what you’re looking for with our build your own office tool right now.
Want to see more? Check out the video on Youtube.