First impressions in the Square Mile aren’t polite – they’re judgmental.



So when Quarterback was asked to modernise the arrival at 75 King William Street (hello, Bank Conservation Area), the mission was clear: sharpen the welcome without upsetting the heritage purists. And give retail spaces that have been empty since COVID a new lease of life.

The problem? Too many doors, too little direction, and a smoke-vent duct with main-character energy.QBRE got mischievous while staying compliant: teaming up with fire engineers to revise the fire strategy, rationalising the duct and enabling the ground floor to breathe.

Retail units were absorbed into one cohesive reception suite while matching existing stonework, with a bigger lounge, a breakout space, and amenities built for both everyday graft and big “town hall” moments.

And there’s more.

Extra doors became bronze-framed glazed windows with stone sub-cills – cleaner, calmer, conservation-friendly. Step-free access was designed in, sightlines improved, and services upgraded with MVHR. The brief was met – and then some.

A mid-project stakeholder switch didn’t faze anyone involved: the project stayed resolutely on-track. The coup de grace? All this was delivered while the building stayed live.

Ready for an entrance that actually entrances? Your welcome awaits.