Case Study Tour - The Acre, Covent Garden

Don’t Waste Buildings Tour: The Acre

Location: The Acre, 90 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9RA

Event Description:

Part of the Don’t Waste Buildings campaign, this tour explores how retrofit-first thinking is reshaping London’s built environment.

Join us for an exclusive visit to The Acre, a landmark transformation of a 1980s office block in Covent Garden. Originally designed by Richard Seifert & Partners and completed in 1981 as First Chicago House, the building has been reimagined—not demolished—with over 80% of its original structure retained.

Led by developer Northwood Investors and re-envisioned by architects Gensler, The Acre is now a vibrant, sustainable workplace with BREEAM Outstanding, EPC B, WELL Platinum, and Fitwel 3* credentials.

The Acre is a fine example of how reuse can deliver high performance, low carbon, and lasting value—without sending a building to landfill.