20 Giltspur Street:

Delivering reliability in the heart of the City

The Project

20 Giltspur Street is a striking commercial retrofit in the heart of the City of London. The transformation involves removing two existing floors and replacing them with three new levels that optimise usable space, while retaining and enhancing much of the original structure. Once complete, the building will offer 120,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace across seven floors, with exceptional views of London’s skyline.

Designed to achieve strong environmental and health credentials, enhancements include upgraded façades with green elements, a new roof terrace and increased public access to the preserved Roman walls in the basement – all aligned with the evolving needs of future tenants.

Our Solution

Guildford-based subcontractors FACE Brickwork selected Lignacite Standard Paint Grade blocks for use throughout the project – in the basement, ground floor, first floor and sixth floor, as well as in stairwells, substructure and feature walls. These high-performance blocks were also selected for the building’s new viewing gallery, which highlights the preserved Roman walls that are protected beneath the site.

Combining acoustic performance, a Class A1 fire rating and responsibly sourced aggregates – including recycled materials independently certified by sustainability consultants Blue Marble – Lignacite Standard blocks are durable and strong, ideal for meeting the demands of modern urban construction.

But it wasn’t just product performance that mattered.

Delivery to the undercroft and basement areas of the project presented numerous challenges, and the team had to work around sensitive court session times and surrounding access to neighbouring buildings, including the new Bank of America development. Coordination had to be precise, especially where full-sized vehicles couldn’t access the site.

As a result, our delivery service was put to the test. With the street too narrow for a rigid truck, Lignacite’s London Area Manager, Paul Blunderfield, attended the site personally to plan the approach.

“He committed to 7:30am deliveries. It’s really hard for any company to guarantee a timed delivery in London – but Lignacite managed it,” says Joel Riley, MD at FACE Brickwork. “They met their promise. They didn’t block the road or access to the car parks. Paul also suggested extending the truck’s HIAB legs into the building to help with access to the basement, which worked. I know I can depend on Lignacite – and their products are superior to any others.”

Sustainability was also a key consideration. Part of the reason the team at FACE chose our blocks is our base in Nazeing, Essex – the closest masonry manufacturer to central London. By prioritising local supply, they were able to minimise transport emissions and meet internal carbon reduction targets.

“We put every delivery through a carbon calculator. A supplier in Wrexham might have been cheaper on paper – but it wouldn’t have made sense for the environment,” Joel adds.

The Result

Lignacite’s supply and service allowed FACE Brickwork to meet the project's quality and delivery expectations, overcoming logistical constraints without compromise. With early-morning deliveries, uninterrupted access and high-performing blocks tailored to modern retrofit needs, the project continued without delay.

Lignacite’s reliable performance and low-impact delivery helped FACE Brickwork keep the project on track and aligned with broader environmental goals. As an ambitious subcontractor, FACE is fast becoming one to watch – and Lignacite is proud to support that journey as a trusted partner.

Got a logistically difficult project to deliver to?

Speak to our experienced team to discuss how we can get your blocks to site on time – without disruption. Give us a call on 01842 778485 today, or email quotes@lignacite.co.uk.