Opus (Building 2) Western Yards, South Bank, London

Architectural metalwork: Stairs and enclosures for Opus London, the prestigious South Bank 50-storey residential building

PAD Contracts was appointed by property developer Native Land to design, manufacture and install architectural metalwork staircases and other metalwork elements for London’s latest premium residential landmark, Opus (also known as Building 2 Western Yards).

The Project

Located in prime central London on the South Bank, Opus is set to become an iconic 50-storey residential tower representing aspirational urban living. Reaching 170 metres, the redevelopment of the riverside site will produce 249, 1–4-bedroom residences with interiors designed to maximise the panoramic views across the city. Residents will also have access to four floors dedicated to world-class lifestyle and wellness amenities.

The striking architecture has been designed to blend harmoniously with prominent cultural neighbours such as Tate Modern in the vibrant Bankside Yards and South Bank district. Once complete – expected 2027 – Opus will be the tallest residential building in a prime central London location.

As a net zero operation with passive design and a 5^th generation energy-sharing network, Opus sets a new standard for environmentally conscious city living. The designs of architects PLP Architecture have ensured that natural light will be maximised by floor to ceiling windows. Opus will also have 75% more corner apartments than is typical for a building of its size.

In September 2025 Opus topped out, with the building’s structure completed ahead of schedule, to mark the beginning of the final phase of construction.

PAD Contracts’ Work for the Opus Project

Working in collaboration with the Principle Contractor, Multiplex, PAD Contracts was appointed to deliver architectural metalwork elements for Opus as follows:

Feature staircase in the main reception lobby
Penthouse apartment stairs
External stairs and enclosures
Various architectural and general metalwork elements

For the entrance to the building, PAD Contracts is designing a wide helical staircase with a solid plate balustrade to create an immediate sense of grandeur and opulence. For the mezzanine floor area, we repeated the solid plate balustrade design with the aim of creating a natural flow through the space with the same luxurious finish.

Using our extensive expertise in full design, fabrication and site installation, the internal and external staircases is being manufactured in our 18,000 sq ft factory equipped with 10-tonne overhead cranes that enable us to handle large and complex metal structures.

The staircases will be finished on site using specialist paint finishes to produce the required aesthetic and ensure the durability of the structures, which is essential in a communal space with high foot traffic.

Challenges of the Project

Such a prestigious residential building requires a lavish entrance to set the appropriate tone for the high-end apartments and amenities. Having worked on other high profile award-winning projects such as The Sainsbury Laboratory and Evelyn Grace Academy, PAD Contracts architectural metalwork designers knew the Opus staircase needed to be truly unique. We used our expertise to innovate and design an imposing helical staircase that would deliver the bespoke architectural statement that was needed.

Manufacturing and fabricating large structures off site can present difficulties for other architectural metalwork specialists, but the vast PAD Contracts factory, with specialised facilities including a purpose-built shot blasting and high-quality paint spraying area, enables us to ensure consistent, superior finishes throughout each structure regardless of its size.

Client Satisfaction

PAD Contracts was delighted to be involved in such a high-profile project. The client benefited from our capacity for carrying out most of the architectural metalwork off site while other works were completed. When we were called to site we were fully prepared which allowed the client to keep the project on track.

With a proven record of working with blue chip clients predominantly in London and the South East, PAD Contracts was able to confidently collaborate with the client and provide any required guidance to achieve project goals. The client was very happy with our unique architectural metalwork designs, the quality of our work, and our proactive approach.