Banyards are pleased to have provided independent specialist Commissioning Consultancy services for Linklaters’ on their new global headquarters at 20 Ropemaker, one of the most significant and sustainable office developments recently completed in the City of London. Located moments from Moorgate and the Elizabeth Line, the development represents a new generation of workplace design, combining flexibility, sustainability and intelligent engineering to create a building that is as high-performing as it is visually striking.

Rising prominently within the City skyline, 20 Ropemaker was designed to complement the surrounding cluster of towers while establishing its own distinctive architectural identity. The 27-storey building delivers more than 400,000 square feet of Grade A office accommodation, alongside high-quality retail space and welcoming public realm areas at ground level. Its generous, adaptable floorplates were created to support modern hybrid working, while landscaped rooftop terraces provide valuable outdoor areas for informal meetings and staff wellbeing.

Sustainability and occupant health were central to the design. The building targeted BREEAM Outstanding certification and WELL Platinum standards, placing it among the most environmentally advanced commercial buildings in the UK. High-performance glazing maximises natural daylight while reducing heat gain, and advanced building services systems were engineered to minimise operational energy use without compromising comfort. Smart environmental controls monitor internal conditions, helping to create a healthier and more productive workplace for everyone who uses the building.

A future-ready headquarters

Linklaters now occupies over 375,000 square feet within the development, creating a highly serviced, technology-enabled global headquarters designed to support collaboration, flexibility and long-term growth. The move represented a major investment in the firm’s people and operations, delivering modern working environments that prioritise comfort, adaptability and environmental responsibility. To support this ambition, the building’s complex engineering infrastructure needed to operate seamlessly from day one.

Ensuring performance from day one

As Independent Client Commissioning Verification Engineer our role was to ensure the building services systems were correctly tested, commissioned and witnessed inline with the project specifications, industry guidelines to ensure compliance with the client’s performance requirements. Working closely with Gardiner Theobold and Structetone as well as the wider project team, our role also included undertaking commissioning-focused design reviews, monitored installation progress and witnessing 100% of the testing of the building services systems. This included heating, cooling and ventilation performance, electrical testing compliance and resilience, life-safety systems including full cause & effect testing, Building Management System functionally and full integrated systems testing. At handover, we verified all commissioning records and operational documentation, supporting a smooth and confident transition into occupation.

Developments of this size and complexity require meticulous coordination, specialist expertise and detailed witnessing to ensure full compliance.

Our extensive experience in large-scale commercial developments across London enabled us to oversee the commissioning process and programme involving thousands of individual tests, inspections and performance checks.

Delivering confidence for the future

20 Ropemaker is more than a prestigious new office building. It represents a forward-looking approach to sustainable design, workplace wellbeing and intelligent engineering integration. By combining striking architecture with rigorous commissioning oversight, the development has provided Linklaters with a resilient, efficient and future-ready headquarters that performs from the moment it opened its doors.

Banyards is proud to have played a key role in helping bring this landmark project to life.