Tucked just behind the hussle and bustle of Oxford Street, Berners Street has always had a story to tell. In the mid‑18th century as London expanded beyond its rural edges, the Berners Estate, built by developer William Berners, transformed open fields north of Oxford Street into what is now Fitzrovia.
Through systematic planning between the 1750’s and 1770’s, streets like Berners, Newman, and Wells took shape, lined with elegant Georgian townhouses equipped with mews stables, signalling both prestige and urban potential.
By the 19th century, Berners Street had evolved into a vibrant hub of medical, charitable and social enterprises. At number 58, Madame Caplin’s Anatomical and Physiological Gallery - exclusively for women - offered Victorian Londoners an unusual and progressive educational venue. The street was also a cradle for early women’s empowerment: the Berners Club for Women (circa 1871 - 1898) and the Central Committee of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage both operated from here.
Yet Berners Street’s most notorious moment came in 1810, the ‘Berners Street Hoax.’ Writer Theodore Hook wagered he could make any house in London the most talked‑about address. In owner Mrs. Tottenham’s name, he dispatched thousands of letters requesting tradespeople, dignitaries, and even orchestras to converge at number 54. The ensuing chaos: chimney‑sweeps at dawn, funeral processions, organ deliveries, even the Duke of Gloucester, paralysed the area for hours, cementing the street’s place in London lore. But beyond the mischief, Berners Street quickly became known for its grand Georgian townhouses and as a refuge for professionals, artists and creatives alike.
Among the historic facades stands 58 Berners Street, a building that has seen the city evolve through generations. Once residential, then commercial and now newly transformed, this address carries with it layers of London’s architectural and cultural history. It’s a place where tradition and transformation meet, making it an apt new home for Gleeds.
For 150 years, Gleeds has been shaping the future of the built environment. The move into 58 Berners Street in our 150th year marks more than just a change of address for us: it signals a statement of intent. To be rooted in a place of history, yet wholly focused on the future. The building's careful restoration and redevelopment into a cutting-edge office space mirror our own commitment to combining heritage with forward-thinking innovation.
With a fit-out centred on sustainability, the transformation embraces low impact materials, energy efficient systems and circular design. Rated as BREEAM Excellent and WELL enabled, 58 Berners Street has been constructed using low embodied carbon materials, created by using increased cement replacement. The building, designed by Emrys Architects, is fully electric for energy services, which will see Gleeds reduce our carbon footprint in line with our targets. The building also has a living roof, climbing plants and bird boxes, designed to create a thriving habitat for a minimum of 30 species of wildlife, including bees, butterflies and birds.
The goal? To reduce environmental footprint while creating a healthy, inspiring place for people to work. From improved air quality and natural light to smart tech integration and flexible work zones, every element of the design reflects a deep consideration for both people and planet.
It’s a fitting synergy: combining our dedication to shaping resilient, sustainable buildings and now working from one that embodies those very values. As we settle into our new headquarters, 58 Berners Street becomes more than just an address. It becomes a symbol of continuity and change, of respect for the past and ambition for the future.
And in a world that never stops building, that feels just right.
