Woolgate Exchange, London

Woolgate Exchange, London

 

PAD Contracts was appointed to manufacture and install terrace balustrades and planters for Woolgate Exchange, now known as Woolgate, at 25 Basinghall Street in the City of London.

 

The extensive refurbishment and extension of the existing nine-storey office building began in 2023 and was completed in 2025. The project has transformed the building into high-quality, modern office accommodation, with improved amenities and new external terrace areas across a number of floors.

 

Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the redevelopment retained much of the original structure while introducing new office space, upgraded arrival areas, retail provision, external terraces and a rooftop pavilion. This approach has helped to reposition Woolgate as a contemporary and sustainable workplace in the City of London.

 

Project team

Client                                    Stanhope
Architect                               Stiff + Trevillion
Structural Engineer                Heyne Tillett Steel
Principal Contractor               Mace
Architectural Metalwork          PAD Contracts

The PAD scope

 

PAD Contracts designed, fabricated and installed the terrace balustrades and planters for the new external amenity spaces.

 

The terraces provide valuable outdoor space for occupiers in a busy City of London location. The balustrades provide the required edge protection while maintaining the clean, contemporary appearance of the scheme. The planters form an integral part of the terrace design, helping to introduce greenery into the completed external areas.

 

Bespoke architectural metalwork

 

The terrace works required a detailed and coordinated approach. Balustrades, planters, landscape elements, waterproofing, terrace finishes and existing structural conditions all needed to work together successfully to achieve the intended result.

 

PAD Contracts worked with the wider project team to develop, fabricate and install the bespoke metalwork package. Our in-house design, fabrication, project management and installation capabilities enable us to manage complex architectural metalwork packages from initial drawings through to completion on site.

 

External metalwork needs to be designed and manufactured with performance in mind. Alongside appearance and finish quality, factors including durability, weather exposure, tolerances, safe installation and interfaces with adjacent materials must be carefully considered. PAD’s experience in delivering bespoke balustrades and general architectural metalwork on major London projects helped support the successful delivery of the terrace package.

 

A major City retrofit

 

Woolgate is one of the larger retrofit schemes in the City of London. The completed development provides approximately 345,000 sq ft of flexible office space, with a new two-storey roof extension, rooftop pavilion, upgraded arrival spaces and significantly improved occupier amenities.

 

Sustainability was central to the scheme. By retaining the majority of the existing structure, the design reduced the need for a full demolition and rebuild. The all-electric building was designed to support lower-carbon operation, alongside ambitious sustainability and building-performance targets.

 

The project also improves the building’s connection with its surroundings through new retail and food and beverage provision, improved public realm and landscaped external areas for occupiers.

Project Details

Address: Woolgate Exchange, London

Description: Bespoke architectural metalwork – manufacture and install terrace balustrades and planters

 

Client:  Stanhope
Architect: Stiff + Trevillion
Structural Engineer: Heyne Tillett Steel
Principal Contractor: Mace
Architectural Metalwork: PAD Contracts

For more information on our architectural metalwork, fabrication and installation services, contact us today.