Print To Press

Once Europe’s largest printing facility, Abode2 explore how the Printworks building will be sensitively repositioned by Hawkins\Brown architects, integrating 158,000 square feet of flexible workspace alongside a rich cultural offering

British Land and AustralianSuper have unveiled the highly anticipated future vision for the Printworks building in The Grand Press, a new workspace offering alongside, subject to planning permission, a unique cultural venue in the heart of the Canada Water Masterplan in central London.

The building, previously known as Harmsworth Quays, was once Europe’s largest printing facility dating back to 1989. It now stands as central London’s last major unconverted industrial building presenting the rare chance for reinvention. Architects Hawkins\Brown have been appointed to transform the building into a world-class mixed-use facility. The plans retain and integrate much of its original character and features, whilst delivering a sustainable workspace which will co-exist alongside innovative cultural and leisure uses, overlooking a new 3.5- acre park and a short stroll from the River Thames and historic docks.

The Grand Press will comprise 158,000 square feet of Grade A workspace with strong sustainability, amenity, technological and wellness credentials. Spread over seven storeys with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light throughout, the highly adaptable and flexible workspaces will be centred around a vast atrium formed from the old printing press hall. The Grand Press promises a dramatic arrival experience, while over 10,000 sq ft of external terraces off the third to sixth floors will offer panoramic views across London, presenting a workspace experience like no other. The brand encapsulates the building’s extraordinary architecture and pays homage to its industrial heritage, reflecting its history while bringing it forward into a new era.

In keeping with the wider Canada Water Masterplan, the extensive retrofit of the building will be a net zero carbon development, targeting superb sustainability credentials of BREEAM Outstanding as well as the WELL Gold certification for a design that is centred around occupiers’ health and wellbeing. It has already achieved the maximum 5.5-star NABERS design-reviewed target rating for building efficiency, ensuring a viable long-term future for the upgraded Printworks.

Appealing to innovative corporates from multiple sectors, The Grand Press presents a rare proposition thanks to a proposed cultural venue which, subject to planning permission, will occupy the rear half of the building’s famous press halls. The complex will also include a variety of proposed retail and F&B outlets at ground level, with the opportunity for a bespoke dedicated rooftop amenity space.

Roger Madelin, Joint Head of Canada Water at British Land, said: “The Printworks building is one of the many gems within the Canada Water Masterplan; we have taken inspiration from its heritage to design a state-of-the art complex that pays homage to the asset’s evolution over the past three decades and offers a compelling blend of modern workspace, cultural experiences and leisure activities, fostering collaboration and creativity. We were keen to capture the extraordinary character and volume of this building through our ambitious retrofit programme, ensuring a long-term and sustainable future for the reinvented Printworks which fully embraces its multi-layered potential.”

Mike Wiseman, Head of Office Leasing at British Land, said: “The Grand Press will be one of the most exciting workspace schemes ever launched to the London market – a once-in-a-lifetime, globally unique opportunity for any forward-thinking business that uses workspace as a key representation of its own brand and its relationship with its employees. The iconic building complements the wider commercial offering that will be delivered across the Canada Water Masterplan, promoting a hive of business activity in this pocket of central London occupiers will benefit from exceptional transport links, extensive food and retail options, and an abundance of surrounding green and blue spaces.”

Key to the appeal of The Grand Press as a compelling office destination is its central location in London’s Zone 2 and strong connectivity, served by the Jubilee Line, London Overground and TfL bus services, making it accessible to more under-35 workers within a 45-minute commute than any other transport hub in central London, and with proximity to the best of art, culture, nature and nightlife that London has to offer. Canada Water’s 130 acres of surrounding woodlands, parks, docks and waterways will also be valued by increasingly wellness-conscious employers.

The redevelopment forms part of the second phase of the Canada Water Masterplan, with practical completion expected in Q3 2026. Phase 1 of the development includes 300,000 square feet of highly sustainable workspace at Three Deal Porters and The Dock Shed on Deal Porters Way, and 33,000 square feet of lab space at the Paper Yard’s life sciences quarter.

workspace@britishland.com

www.canadawater.co.uk/workspace