Henning Larsen is making its first foray into London with a mix-used project a few short steps from Buckingham Palace.

The new building will sit atop a reimagined foyer space tying the 470,000 square foot office development to a market, full-service gym, garden terrace and retail establishments through a web of interconnected bicycling and pedestrian tracks that the three-firm team hopes will turn 105 Victoria into a vital public square in the heart of the West End by the end of the decade.

With a hand from KPF and Adamson Associates, Henning Larsen were able to put forth a bold design that actively seeks to improve the work-life balance of the building’s workers through the many amenities available on-site in a full rejection of the exodus from cities prognosticators have forecasted as the start of the pandemic gave rise to a remote work revolution.

“Our ambition for the project is to create an active urban destination in the heart of London, a pocket of public space equal in energy and diversity to the city itself,” Jacob Kurek, Henning Larsen’s Partner-In-Charge for the project said in a statement.

105 Victoria also aims to be one of the most energy efficient developments in the city in recent memory, actively seeking net zero status as well as a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ designation via a design that incorporates sustainability into the social practice and public life elements of a scheme Kurek feels can holistically affect the unhealthy urban lifestyle afflicting so many Londoners.

“Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact,” Kurek said. “We thought not just about our goals for a sustainable and active office building, but [also] what stops people from making those healthy choices. By focusing on solving those problems, we are giving agency to the tenants and community around the building.”

The project was approved last month by the Westminster City Council and will begin construction in August of next year with an expected completion date forthcoming.