Modern office lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the City of London skyline. The space features a large curved beige sofa, two blue lounge chairs, a colourful coffee table and abundant indoor plants. A glossy blue bar and matching suspended light fixture sit at the centre, while decorative glass vases line open shelving above. Three people occupy the space, with two seated at the bar and one seated on the sofa. Exposed ceilings, light wood finishes and natural daylight create a bright, contemporary workplace setting. Sunlit office corridor with a meeting booth positioned beside floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the London skyline, including a distant view of St Paul's Cathedral. The booth features a green table, light wood chairs and a patterned rug, framed by open timber shelving filled with plants. Planters line the walkway, creating a biophilic environment throughout the space. Natural light casts long shadows across the pale timber flooring, while exposed ceilings and light wood finishes contribute to the contemporary workplace design. Bright office breakout area with built-in upholstered booth seating set between large windows and light wood shelving filled with lush green plants and decorative objects. Natural daylight streams across the timber flooring, creating strong shadows along a spacious corridor. Open shelving frames views through the space, while planters, books and colourful accessories add warmth and texture to the contemporary workplace interior. An open-plan office space with multiple workstations arranged in rows. Large windows on the right side let in natural light, while exposed pipes and ducts on the ceiling contribute to an industrial feel. The workspace includes desks and chairs throughout, with plants and greenery visible in the background adding a natural element to the environment. A bright teapoint area featuring wooden furniture and green plants throughout. Along the left side, cushioned benches are paired with small round tables. A large island counter with bar stools sits at the centre of the space, topped with hanging plants above. The floor has a green and white chequered pattern. Shelves on the walls hold books and decorative items, contributing to a clean, nature-inspired design. Contemporary office touchdown spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic city views. A row of colourful tables with blue chairs runs alongside upholstered banquette seating, while a window-facing counter provides additional seating for informal work or meetings. Framed abstract artwork decorates the wall, and a large display screen at the far end shows a London skyline image. Abundant natural daylight fills the space, complementing the light wood finishes, exposed ceiling services and modern workplace design. An open-plan office space with rows of desks and chairs arranged beneath a ceiling featuring exposed pipes and wooden beams. Large windows along one side allow natural light to fill the room. Hanging plants are suspended from the beams, adding greenery to the environment. In the foreground, a countertop with a sink and several bottles is visible. The design is clean and focused on natural materials and openness. A conference room with a large wooden table surrounded by several chairs. The space is enclosed by glass walls, offering views into adjacent areas. A flat-screen television is mounted on one wall, and the ceiling is fitted with recessed lighting. The design is clean and streamlined, with a focus on transparency and functionality. Contemporary office lounge with panoramic views across the London skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. The space features a seating area with a curved beige sofa, four blue lounge chairs and a colourful coffee table set on a patterned rug. A glossy blue bar with matching pendant lighting sits to the left, while open timber shelving displays decorative glassware and integrated planters filled with greenery. Natural daylight floods the interior, complementing the light wood finishes, exposed ceiling services and vibrant design details throughout the workplace.
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Home Projects GPE City Tower

Breathing new life into City Tower

GPE wanted to transform the iconic City Tower into Fully Managed workspaces that felt warm, inviting and would attract new customers.

Project partners

  • GPE
  • PBC
  • Exigere
  • Studio Petak

Key features

  • Tonal and sensory design
  • Natural materials
  • Bespoke joinery
  • Warm, residential feel

GPE had a clear vision – they wanted to reimagine these spaces to become a home away from home with cohesive yet distinctive designs that would let quickly.

Fully transformed

To fit necessary timescales, we worked in close collaboration with GPE’s own design team to fast track a warm and welcoming concept that met their brief. We created an inviting layout for spaces across all floors, each including breakout and tea point areas, a lounge style welcome area, glazed meeting rooms, phone booths and open plan desking. Shelving helps to gently define zones while keeping things open and airy, offering privacy without ever feeling closed in.

Designed for comfort and collaboration

The space combines natural materials and soft, patterned rugs with varied lighting to suit the function of each zone. Lounge areas are bathed in warm lighting, while working areas and meeting rooms benefit from soft whites to keep focus levels high. Each floor shares the same calm, residential feel, but comes with its own identity through a unique accent colour.

We exposed the services to maximise ceiling height, painting them out in warm beige to soften the effect. Carefully crafted joinery in breakout areas and kitchenettes adds elegance, while every element – from the artwork and lighting down to the tiles and textiles – was chosen to reflect a sense of comfort and character.

Skyline Twenty-One

In 2026, we returned to the building to deliver a further four Fully Managed offices on floors 3, 11, 18 and 20, in addition to GPE’s flagship lounge, Skyline Twenty-One. Located at the top of City Tower, Skyline Twenty-One is an unforgettable amenity space and club lounge that enhances the everyday experience for GPE’s customers. 
 
Designed by GPE’s Inhouse Flex Workspaces design team and Studio Petak, the multi-functional destination works hard from day to night, featuring a statement bar and lounge, a range of informal work settings and an impressive boardroom with adjoining refreshment area. Every corner is enriched with lush planting and bathed in natural light, creating a space that’s hard to forget one you’ve stepped inside. 
 
Inclusive design principles are central to the space. Step‑free access to Skyline Twenty-One is provided via a new platform lift, ensuring equitable access for all. The inclusion of a new disabled WC, upgrades to existing universal facilities and clear, legible circulation routes further enhance accessibility and dignity. A diverse range of spatial settings, from quiet phone booths and small meeting rooms to large, all hands spaces, supports different working styles, sensory needs and levels of privacy.
 
Materially, Skyline Twenty-One departs from conventional corporate interiors through a raw and refined palette. Extensive use of timber, natural tones and integrated planting create an environment that supports wellbeing, whilst acoustic upgrades, discreetly integrated into the architecture, address noise control without visual compromise.
 

Results with impact

GPE now has signature spaces that feel modern and considered. Several spaces have already been successfully let, proving that a thoughtful and inviting design can do more than just fill space – it can bring it to life. 
 

  • 40 Basinghall Street, London
  • 24,000 sq ft
  • 18 weeks

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