145 St Vincent Street

WMR was commissioned to undertake the refurbishment of the communal foyer in a prominent eight-storey, B-listed office building in Glasgow’s city centre. The project brief was to transform the space while complementing and preserving the building's heritage.

The project was completed over an eight-week period, extended from an initial six-week programme to accommodate variations in the brief. The works involved extensive internal alterations, including the removal of partitions, ceilings, and door sets to create a modern, open-plan foyer. A new fire refuge zone was constructed, and the existing fire detection system was adapted to suit the new layout.

A key feature of the refurbishment was the meticulous restoration of the building's original elements. Cladding was removed from a central column to reveal a beautiful original structural beam, which was then extensively overhauled with new passive fire protection to be left exposed as a feature.

In a showcase of high-quality craftsmanship, 20mm marble was imported from Italy to create a striking feature wall behind the reception desk and a new marble floor with a detailed inlay. The recessed ceiling was designed to mirror this inlay, creating a sense of symmetry. The perimeter of the foyer was finished with contrasting black marble for the stair stringers, skirtings, and facings. The new reception and DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant desk were constructed using Abodo cladding and finished with elegant marble desktops.

The successful completion of this refurbishment has revitalized the communal foyer, creating a sophisticated and functional space that honours the building's historic character. The project demonstrates WMR's ability to deliver high-specification fit-outs with a keen eye for detail and respect for architectural heritage.