We’re very excited that the UK’s first net zero carbon commercial development – The Forge – topped out this week. Following this milestone, where we celebrate the building reaching its full-height, we aim to complete the 139,000 sq ft scheme at the end of 2022. 

To give you an idea of how quickly the development is progressing, here’s a site eye video which shows the evolution from October 2019 to today.

What makes The Forge unique? 

• The Forge is the UK’s first net zero commercial office development, and is built using the highly efficient and sustainable platform approach to design for manufacture and assembly (P-DfMA). This led Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, to award funding for the innovative design and ground-breaking construction techniques. Using these techniques has contributed to a circa. 25% reduction to date in embodied carbon from the initial design stage. And we saved 178 tonnes in steel by using the platform approach - that’s the equivalent of just under 13.5 London Double Decker buses in weight.
• The site’s historical use was as a bronze foundry, which has been carried through in the naming of the development.
• The development boasts an array of indoor and outdoor spaces to meet the wellbeing needs of today’s workforce, including an improved streetscape and public realm, four terraces, and a cycle ramp from the building’s entrance down to 230 cycle spaces, showers and storage. Other features include LED lighting, which reduce eye strain and fatigue to help boost productivity, and almost 300m2 of green roof promoting local biodiversity.
• 107 solar panels contribute to the developments 100% renewable electricity source.  

Location, location, location 

Location is everything with The Forge. The net zero development is located in the heart of Bankside, close to cultural hotspots including The Globe, Tate Modern and Borough Market, as well as three key transport hubs, Waterloo, London Bridge and Blackfriars.

South of The River Thames, The Forge is also surrounded by one of the city’s best food and drink scenes including Flat Iron Square and Vinegar Yard, as well as an array of independent restaurants and bars for business lunches and post-work socialising.

More info

The scheme will house Blank Canvas, one of our three office products that consists of large, aspirational spaces that are ready for businesses to personalise and transform to suit their brands and needs. Find out more about the products here.