RED Group, the specialist main contractor, has been appointed by LS Estates, London-based developer and co-investment operating partner, to complete the £50m commercial redevelopment of 5 Chancery Lane in central London. Appointed as Construction Managers, RED’s London division will complete the redevelopment, with the building completion planned for the first quarter of 2027.

The RED London team is now working alongside Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors Gardiner & Theobald, to complete the prime office space. LS Estates acted promptly to appoint RED following the demise of the previous Main Contractor, enabling a smooth transition and maintaining continuity across the project and wider supply chain.

5 Chancery Lane, originally built in 1910, will offer 105,000 sq ft of modern office space in central London, between Holborn and Fleet Street. The works are carefully designed to retain the building’s façade and 86% of its existing structure, thereby preserving the building’s heritage while saving 4,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide and reducing construction waste.

Not only does the retrofit scheme boast a low embodied carbon, but it will also drive carbon efficiency throughout its operational life, saving an estimated 540 tonnes of carbon per annum compared to the existing building. A striking new glass dome will crown the building, creating a distinctive architectural feature while increasing natural light throughout the upper floors. The scheme is pre-assessed to meet BREEAM Excellent requirements.

Ian Hopkinson, Group Director at RED Group, commented: “A refurbishment of this size and importance requires vast experience and the ability to quickly onboard for the benefit of the project’s supply chain and eventual occupier. This appointment showcases our capabilities, as a stable, collaborative contractor well-positioned to take on complex schemes and provide important solutions for clients.”

Rowan Jenkins, Managing Director at LS Estates, added: “LS Estates remain firmly committed to delivering 5 Chancery Lane as a sustainable office building that meets the strong demand in London’s office market. As demand for market-leading workspaces in the capital continues to grow, it remains crucial to prioritise upgrades which maintain cultural heritage and lead on sustainability. The appointment of the RED London team signals this assurance, and we look forward to working closely with the company to ensure we bring this building to life in 2027.”

RED’s South West division has also recently been appointed by LS Estates on Portwall Place, a 150,000 sq ft office redevelopment scheme in Bristol, funded by Blackrock.

This appointment follows the news that RED London has been appointed to deliver a substantial office refurbishment of The Buckley Building in Clerkenwell, providing 89,000 sq ft of modern office space, maintaining the building’s BREEAM Outstanding status and targeting an EPC A rating.