YY London is a landmark redevelopment project situated in Canary Wharf, transforming the former 30 South Colonnade building, once home to Reuters, into a modern office destination. Oaktree Capital and Quadrant’s project reimagines a 1991 structure to meet the demands of today’s workforce while preserving much of the original building.
Designed by Buckley Gray Yeoman, the redevelopment delivers 408,000 sq ft of premium office, retail, and leisure space through innovative structural and architectural interventions. Waterman’s structural engineers played a key role in achieving a 25% increase in floor area by strengthening and adapting the original frame, including reverse-engineering the complex marine foundations and making superstructure modifications that enabled two new storeys to be added without full demolition.
YY London is designed to enhance user experience, offering flexible, open-plan floor plates, wellness features like walnut-finished staircases, and generous outdoor terraces for collaboration and relaxation. A communal rooftop event space, extensive cycle storage, dedicated changing areas, antibacterial handrails, and UV filtration systems contribute to a healthier, more sustainable working environment.
Material reuse was a core sustainability strategy, with 95% of the steelwork and 84% of the concrete slabs retained, along with the original foundations. The steel-braced cores were consolidated into a single central core, improving structural performance and maximising interior space. The atrium was infilled, columns were strengthened, and the entrance lobby was transformed into a triple-height space featuring a dramatic staircase, digital screen wall, and a rotating full-height tree installation.
A standout feature of the redevelopment is its new façade, distinguished by elegant curving arches that reframe the building’s identity and enhance energy performance. The recladding process, led by Skanska, was carefully coordinated with TFL and DLR to ensure safe execution. The façade and building envelope contribute to a 62% energy demand reduction, supporting the goal of delivering a fully electric, Net Zero building.
The project incorporates smart, energy-efficient systems such as air source heat pumps, demand-led ventilation, PV panels, and LED lighting. These features helped secure BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification and Platinum ratings from Smartscore and WiredScore. Retaining and reusing the building’s structure avoided more than 10,000 tonnes of CO₂, drastically reducing its environmental footprint.
