Daily Express Building

JRA repositioned The Daily Express Building on Fleet Street in the City of London for Kajima, Taylor Woodrow Capital Developments, and The Itochu Corporation.

This 1930s gem, former home of the Daily Express, was covered with shining black Vitrolite and clear glass with chromium strips. The flamboyant lobby included plaster reliefs by Eric Aumonier, an oval staircase and an abundance of silver and gilt.

To bring the building back up to modern standards whilst preserving its distinctive appearance, JRA re-clad the façade in materials mirroring the original black vitrolite, with hollow aluminium sections post-tensioned with steel rods, providing strength and insulation at the same time as appearing lightweight and elegant. Internally, the team used old photographs as references for the restoration. In particular, in the entrance hall JRA recreated the ocean floor in terrazzo and the lost serpent handrails, as well as restoring the original Aumonier relief sculptures and sunburst ceiling.

The building won the Royal Fine Arts Commission Trust Building of the Year Award and The City Heritage Award, following JRA’s refurbishment.

Ellis & Clarke with Sir Owen Williams (interiors Robert Atkinson), 1930-32. 

John Robertson Architects, 2014.