Commercial Projects

NatWest’s 250 Bishopsgate HQ Redefines Office Design

The building has become a benchmark for modern workplace design.

Updated on

September 25, 2025

NatWest Group’s London headquarters. (Photo: Courtesy)

The London headquarters of NatWest Group, located at 250 Bishopsgate, has recently been through a huge makeover—one of the boldest building upgrades the city has seen in years.

Although the steel-and-glass exterior from the late 1990s remains largely unchanged, the building’s interior has been completely transformed by LOM Architecture and Design.

The retrofit, conducted in successive phases in and around the Covid-19 pandemic, was a cutting-edge and highly co-ordinated operation.

Remarkably, the building was not closed for renovation, and NatWest staff kept working on site as construction went on around them. The retrofit sought to update the workspace for modern-era workers.

“We focused on fluid layouts that facilitate collaboration and promote wellbeing,” said John Avery, director at LOM. “While providing additional space within the existing structure without compromising users’ experience and wellbeing.”

The renovation brought a host of new features. A 300-seat conference centre, dedicated meeting galleries, a co-working floor, and an updated atrium garden are just a few of the additions.

The 9th floor of NatWest’s 250 Bishopsgate office, once a closed-off rooftop, was turned into a green terrace with fruit trees, herbs, and expansive views over the city.

Down in the basement, the previously underused car park was improved to support people who cycle to work. The facility now has bike racks, repair stations, showers and changing rooms.

Sustainability guided the project at all times. Instead of discarding everything old, many original items including desks, ceilings, chairs, and shelving units were kept.

Recycled desktops, mobile furniture and moveable walls were used to create flexible spaces that can be transformed as needed. “We looked to turn traditional corporate design on its head,” Avery said. “Creating a more flexible and sustainable building with an extended life.”

The result was more than just an upgraded headquarters. NatWest’s 250 Bishopsgate office now stands as an example of how modern offices can be transformed with people in mind.